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The FAM Lab at UMass Amherst is actively recruiting parents and teenagers (ages 14-17) to participate in a voluntary online research survey to better understand how the global health pandemic is impacting families. Participation in this study involves families (a parent and teenager) filling out a weekly online survey (15-30 minutes) for five consecutive weeks. Each family member is compensated $5 after each survey is completed as a thank you for their time. Participation in this study is voluntary and confidential, families can withdraw from the study at any time.

For more information, please email Dr. Evelyn Mercado at famlab@umass.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!

Judy B said,

FRESH AIR FUND- HOSTS NEEDED
The Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit organization started in 1877, is seeking hosts to provide children ages 7 to 12 the chance to enjoy new experiences outside of NYC for one week this summer. Hosts can be singles and couples with or without children. FAF covers all costs and you can select the gender and age of the child. We offer local support and fun activities! Visit freshair.org for more information and to submit a host inquiry.

Friends of Children, Inc is seeking volunteers for our Court Appointed Special Advocates Program, FOCUS program supporting young children aging out of foster care and other programs supporting children in foster care. You can learn more about how to get involved here. https://friendsofchildreninc.org/get-involved/

It Takes a Village said,

It Takes a Village, a local nonprofit organization, will now administer a special program for low- and moderate-income families in the Hilltowns to help with the high costs of daycare, preschool, and before- and after-school care. The Childcare Subsidy Program is funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development and provided to the Town of Chesterfield. Families living in Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Plainfield, Peru, Worthington, or Williamsburg where the parents or guardians are working, in school, or in a work-training program could be eligible for a subsidy to help cover all or most of the cost of childcare for children five years old and younger.

Families can choose any childcare facility or program they wish in any town, as long as it is licensed through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.This year, the program also covers before- and after-school programs. To view the guidelines, the list of required documentation, and to apply, families can visit http://www.hilltownvillage.org/childcare, or call 413-650-3640.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst are looking for breastfeeding moms to participate in a study focused on understanding how eating fruits and vegetables affects breast health.If you live within 25 miles of Amherst MA, are pregnant or gave birth within the last 5 weeks, and are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed you may be eligible to participate.
Please call (413) 545-1037 or email (newmomswellness@umass.edu) for more information. You can also visit our website at: https://blogs.umass.edu/newmomswellness/

Tabitha Griswold said,

The Hilltown Safety at Home provides a domestic violence victim advocate for those who have experienced domestic and/or sexual abuse and their children. The advocate works confidentially with people on the phone or in person. If it’s safe for an advocate to come to your home, home visits are also available. The advocate can also help friends and family members who are trying to support a loved one in an abusive situation. All services are free.

Hilltown Safety at Home can help with: Safety planning; Understanding abusive behavior; Understanding the court system; Transportation to court, if needed; Accessing critical support services and more.

Remember, if you believe a friend or family member is being abused, you can: Call an advocate for advice; Assure the victim of your confidentiality and that you believe them; Be supportive and non-judgmental; Help them find resources; Help with a safety plan

Whether they stay or leave, respect their decision and assure them you’ll be there for them.

To confidentially contact a Hilltown Safety at Home advocate, call 413-667-2203 ext.341.

If you need emergency assistance, dial 9-1-1. If you are in crisis, call your local crisis services team or call the Safe Passage hotline at 1-888-345-5282.

Upcoming Parenting Workshop in October at Cooley Dickinson Center for Midwifery
Discipline without Punishment or Rewards, An Aware Parenting Workshop for parents and caregivers of young children.
A three-night series
Thursdays, October 10, 17, and 24th from 6:30-8:30 pm
In the Community Room at the Center for Midwifery
(the yellow house) 10 Denniston Pl. Northampton, MA 01060
By donation, please pre-register with gnowakoski@cooleydickinson.org (413) 586-9866 x9

Join Swansea Benham Bleicher to learn:
• The three reasons for misbehavior
• Ways to resolve conflict in a non-authoritarian manner
• The pitfalls of punishments and rewards
• Basic techniques for democratic discipline

Swansea Benham Bleicher has been certified as an Aware Parenting instructor since 2000. Aware Parenting is a philosophy of child-rearing developed by Aletha Solter, PhD, and based on current research in child development. Swansea has led workshops in Aware Parenting in local public schools, at Grow in Northampton, and she has used this approach in the parenting of her two children, now age 18 and 23. In her 15th year as Director of Northampton Parents Center, Swansea has had many opportunities to coach a broad range of parents and caregivers in the care of their children. She offers private family consultations and workshops. For more information on topics and the Aware Parenting approach, see the website http://www.awareparenting.com

Charlene McDonough said,

The Franklin County Summer Youth Theater presents Seuss Stories. It is a series of funny plays for children young AND young at heart !! From Green Eggs and Ham and Star Bellied Sneetches to a full Act of Seuss Odyssey. Come join us for a great Seuss journey !!

Affordable fun for the whole family happening August 16th – August 18th. Have a family fun day out in the beautiful hills of western Franklin County. Just 30 minutes from Greenfield, there are agricultural activities with many more events, attractions and music; all free with the low admission fee. General Admission $10, Seniors $8, Kids 12 & Under FREE. FREE PARKING with admission.

Middlefield Community Service Group and Blossom Community Center host the annual live band –Shut Up & Dance playing from 2pm– and byo picnic (& potluck if you wish). Sunday July 21st 1-5pm under the tent and beside the swimming pond at Blossom-CenterMiddlefield, 16 Bell Rd. Bring your own lawn chairs, beverages, swimwear, etc. There’ll be other kids there, and all ages. Event is free. Donations welcome.

Amherst College Students are looking for 3-5 year old children to participate in research studies about information gathering.

Studies are about 15 minutes long and kids earn a small prize for participation! Contact cladlab@amherst.edu to reserve a time to work/play with an Amherst College Student at one of the following libraries:

South Hadley Library 10 AM-12 PM Friday, July 19, 2019

Forbes Library 10:15 AM-12:30 PM Tuesday, July 23, 2019

You can also visit us in the research lab on the Amherst College campus on a day that is more convenient for you! Contact: cladlab@amherst.edu

Dhira Yoga Center is offering FREE OUTDOOR YOGA suitable for all levels, all ages, on Wednesday Evenings in July from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. on the rolling green lawn in front of “The Daily Grind” Cafe in Southwick,MA, at 568 College Highway. The classes will be held on July 10, 17, 24 and 31. Bring your own mat (or blanket if you don’t have a yoga mat). Please arrive a few minutes early to sign a release. In case of inclement weather, a FREE class will be offered inside a few doors down at the Dhira Yoga Center, 617 College Highway. For questions, or more information, about the FREE yoga classes this summer, please visit http://www.DhiraYogaCenter.com, or call 413-998-3463.

Join the count! Challenge yourself in a quest to spot as many species as you can. Invite your friends and family to sponsor you to support education for a healthy planet. Your count will contribute both to the Hitchcock Center’s catalogue and to a global biodiversity research database. How many species can you find?

10AM: COUNTS BEGIN
– Trail Loop Contest: Race to document the biodiversity in the Hitchcock Center’s own backyard! Download the iNaturalist app to assist you in the identification process and then share what you find on this global research database. It’s easy and we’ll show you how!
– Species Spy Scavenger Hunt: See if you can spot them all!

Your registration helps to raise funds to support the Hitchcock Center’s year-round environmental education programs. You can help even more by asking your friends and family to sponsor your quest to spot species!

Maureen Boyle, an award winning journalist, has been a crime reporter in New England for more than 25 years and was the first reporter to cover the serial killings in New Bedford, Mass.

In Shallow Graves she spins a riveting narrative about the crimes, the victims, the hunt for the killers, and the search for justice, all played out against the backdrop of an increasingly impoverished community beset by drugs and crime. Drawing on more than one hundred interviews, along with police reports, first-person accounts, and field reporting both during the killings and more recently, Shallow Graves brings the reader behind the scenes of the investigation, onto the streets of the city, and into the homes of the families still hoping for answers.

She holds an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Conn. and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass. She is now director of the Journalism Program at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.

The Chesterfield Selectboard will hold a Public Hearing regarding the Mass. Community Development Block Grant FY18 for two Program Amendments. The hearing will take place on Tues. April 16, 2019 at 5:30 PM in the Selectboard meeting room in the Town Office Building, 422 Main Road. The building is accessible to persons with disabilities. Any persons needing special accommodations should contact Hilltown CDC (296-4536, ext. 115) at least one week prior to the meeting. All persons or organizations wishing to be heard will be afforded the opportunity.

Public comment is invited on the following meeting topics:
• A Program Amendment is being requested to add a Planning Activity to support ADA activities within the town.
• A Program Amendment is being requested to add a Personal Medical Device component to the HEN program.

The general public and representatives of participating towns and organizations with ideas or comments regarding these programs should attend to present their views. The Town of Chesterfield, through its Selectboard, is the recipient of funds for this program. Hilltown CDC is the grant administrator responsible for oversight and implementation. For additional information or if you cannot attend the hearing, but have comments you would like to make, write Hilltown CDC, P.O. Box 17, Chesterfield, MA 01012, or email beavh@hilltowncdc.org

Research Participants are need in Amherst College’s Child Learning and Development Lab (CLAD). Professor Carrie Palmquist is looking for families with children ages birth to 5 to work with our lab as studies become available. Studies are done at the college with specially trained students in a comfortable, family-friendly setting. Parking is provided and studies are generally short and fun. A small prize is available upon completion of a study.

GREAT DISCOUNTS at 2-Day Ski and Winter Gear Sale!
Amherst – The Amherst Historical Society’s Third Annual 2-Day Ski and Winter Gear Sale, has new hours, Friday, January 4th, 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, January 5th 9 am-2pm and a new location in downtown Amherst at the Pacific Lodge, located at 99 Main Street, next door to the police station.

The sale transforms the hall inside of the Pacific Lodge into a ski market, allowing everyone an opportunity to shop at their convenience, either after work on Friday or early enough on Saturday, with plenty of time left in the weekend to enjoy the new equipment.

This 2-day ski market will be stocked with hundreds of new and used skis, skates, and winter sports gear at rock-bottom prices, allowing the entire family to update their winter equipment affordably. Shoppers can choose from new and used downhill and cross-country skis in adult and youth sizes, boots and bindings, hockey and figure skates, snowboards, clothing for adults and children, gloves, ski poles, and snowshoes. Great discounts for the beginner skater to the expert skier. Experts will be on hand to assist with selection and sizing to ensure satisfaction.

All proceeds from the ski sale benefit the educational programs of the Amherst Historical Society. Find bargains at the ski sale, enter the raffle for an upcycled Adirondack chair and be sure to visit our website for more information at, http://www.amhersthistory.org. Questions? Email Bonnie at: info@amhersthistory.org.

Cynthia Merkin said,

SPIKE IS STILL MISSING. WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR HIM!
Do you have a barn/garage/ shed?
Do you feed barn /feral/stray cats?
Spike could be around you.
SPIKE IS WHITE WITH ORANGE BLOTCHES and FLUFFY- esp. tail
CALL OR TEXT 413 695 5667!!!

Safe Passage is hiring for a number of new positions across several departments. All positions and instructions for applying can be found on our website at https://safepass.org/careers/. Most positions have a deadline of December 10; however we may continue to review applications after the deadline.

New jobs may be added frequently as we look to expand our service, so please continue to reference our website for up-to-date information. As of today, the positions available include:

Breakfast With Santa – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast with Santa on Sunday December 9th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

Sunday Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday November 11th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

Cynthia Merkin said,

Spike is missing from his Chesterfield home. He is quite timid, so is likely hiding.
He is very distinctive. White with bright orange splotches and an unusually large fluffy tale.
If you see him, please contact: Cynthia Merkin 413 695 5667.
Your choice of; home made fudge or a hand knit/handspun scarf or hat!

bkatusich said,

ALL 4 HER Fall/Winter Consignment Sale, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church 128 Main Street, Easthampton Ma. Friday 10/12 7-9pm; Saturday 10/13 9am-2pm (1-2pm 1/2 price sale!). Parking available. Gently used women’s and teen girl’s clothing & accessories, household and gift items. Large selection! Come and see! If you are interested in cosigning the deadline is Oct 7. You can sign up to consign before that time by emailing Julie at all4her01027@gmail.com. See you there :)

The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Sunday Breakfast to benefit McCann Tech Cheerleading on Sunday October 14 from 8:30 am to 11:00 am.

Position Purpose
The Accounting Clerk performs clerical and administrative duties along with maintaining accuracy of financial records. They are responsible for reconciling payable and receivable accounts, balancing department budgets, invoicing clients, ensuring prompt payment of invoices and developing and maintaining a comprehensive financial filing system for Administration and Finance

Work Hours
To be determined Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm

Classification, Benefits, and Compensation
This is a part-time (.57 FTE), regular position. Benefits are consistent with Safe Passage personnel policies and relevant state and federal laws. This position will be compensated at an hourly non-exempt rate, based on experience.

To Apply
Send cover letter and resume to spjobs@safepass.org with the subject line “Accounting Clerk.” Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Mental Health Specialist
Regular, Full-time, Exempt
August 2018

Position Purpose
As a member of Safe Passage’s counseling team, the Mental Health Specialist has primary responsibility for providing crisis intervention, advocacy and counseling to survivors of domestic violence. The Mental Health Specialist provides consultation, training, and support to Safe Passage staff and community collaborators to increase agency and community capacity to provide trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic violence, using a multicultural empowerment model.

Work Hours
This position is 35 hours per week, generally M-F, 9-5. Occasional evening and weekend commitments will be required.

Classification, Benefits, and Compensation
This is a regular, full-time, exempt position. We offer a comprehensive benefits package. Starting salary will be competitive and based on experience and qualifications.

To apply: Send cover letter and resume to spjobs@safepass.org with the subject line of “Mental Health Specialist.”

Position Purpose
Primary responsibilities of Shelter Staff are to provide counseling and support services to guests in our confidential shelter for domestic violence survivors and their children. Shelter Staff answer our 24-hour emergency hotline, provide crisis intervention, offer support and education based on multicultural empowerment models, engage in recreational activities as able, maintain shelter security, model healthy relationships and non-violent conflict resolution to shelter guests, and work with a team of shelter and hotline staff to ensure quality services and safety for all shelter guests and their children.

Work hours
Shifts are scheduled as follows
Weeknights 9pm-9am; Weekend/Holiday days divided into two six-hour shifts from 9am-9pm; Weekend/Holiday night 9pm-9am. All Shelter Staff are required to fill some Weekend/Holiday shifts.

Classification, Benefits, and Compensation
This is a part-time, regular position. Benefits are consistent with Safe Passage personnel policies and relevant state and federal laws.
Salary commensurate with Safe Passage budget, applicant’s experience, and shift worked.

To apply: Send cover letter and resume to spjobs@safepass.org with the subject line “Shelter Staff.”

The Dhira Yoga Center in Southwick will be offering their sixth annual, FREE, fun, outdoor, yoga this summer. Appropriate for all levels – beginners and kids are welcome. Bring the whole family. The four free classes will be held on the lawn in front of “The Daily Grind” Coffee House and Cafe, 568 College Highway, Southwick, just a few doors down from the Dhira Yoga Center. The classes will be held on July 25, August 1, 8 and 15 and will start at 7pm and run till 8:15pm. Bring your own mat (or blanket if you don’t have a yoga mat). Please arrive a few minutes early to sign a release. For questions, or more information, about the free yoga classes, please call 413-998-3463, or visit http://www.DhiraYogaCenter.com. In case of rain, there will be a free class offered at the Dhira Yoga Center just a hop, skip and a jump down the road at 617 College Highway.

Mother’s Day Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday May 13th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

Community Action’s Head Start & Early Learning Programs (formerly the Parent-Child Development Center/PCDC) are enrolling NOW for Fall!

Services available include both part AND full day child care or home visiting programs at one of more than a dozen sites across Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Many programs and services are free or at reduced cost for income eligible applicants, and all fees are calculated on a sliding scale.

Hampden County: Centers in Agawam and Westfield, with a Family Child Care site in Chester!

Hampshire County: Centers in Northampton, Florence, Easthampton, Amherst, North Amherst and Ware, with Family Child Care sites in Ware, Easthampton, and Huntington!

High quality, NAEYC accredited early childhood education and enrichment
Nutritious daily meals and snacks
Free developmental and health screenings
Mental health support & referrals
Advocacy for children and families
and so much more!

Limited transportation is available for some sites! Childcare fees can be paid online for your convenience. Se habla Español!

To speak with our knowledgeable and friendly staff and learn how to enroll your child, please call:

Sunday Day Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday April 8th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

This Spring BEAT will be working to survey culverts (pipes under roads that convey water) in the towns of Becket, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washingon, and Windsor. This is a great way to get outside, help aquatic organisms, and splash around in little known streams!

Data collected by volunteers will be submitted to a regional database and analyzed for “aquatic connectivity” or how well fish can move through the structure. Low scoring structures will be highlighted by conservation and planning agencies for replacement.

If you would like to know more or inquire about helping out on the project, please contact Elia Del Molino (elia@thebeatnews.org).

Linda Babcock said,

“Tater and Tunes” fundraiser: Live music and a baked potato bar Tuesday, March 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Haydenville Congregational Church. Baked potatoes served up with chili and other toppings, salads, and a dessert bar featuring tiramisu. Williamsburg vocalist Susan Farrell, and Northampton pianist and composer Jeff Olmsted will perform. Tickets are $10 per person and $20 for a family. 413-268-9344 or office@haydenvillechurch.org.

Come Join us for the 2108 Maple Sugaring Season!
February 17th through April 8th.
Voted “Best of the Valley” Sugarhouse 4 years in a row. Serving our famous Sugarin’ Breakfast daily from 7am, Boiling Demos, Tours and Vendor Tastings most Weekends in March, a Fresh Farm Market, an Artisan Gallery, Specialty Foods and Local craft Beers & Wines.
181 River Drive, Hadley, MA ~ 413-585-8820

Come Join us for the 2108 Maple Sugaring Season!
February 17th through April 8th.
Voted “Best of the Valley” Sugarhouse 4 years in a row. Serving our famous Sugarin’ Breakfast daily from 7am, Boiling Demos, Tours and Vendor Tastings most Weekends in March, a Fresh Farm Market, an Artisan Gallery, Specialty Foods and Local craft Beers & Wines.
181 River Drive, Hadley, MA ~ 413-585-8820

Sunday Day Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday February 11th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

Sunday Day Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday January 14th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

Sunday Day Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday December 10th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

The cost is $7 for Adults, $4 for children under 12.

Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, coffee, juice and much more

All parents and caregivers of children with ADHD are welcome to the first meeting of the Valley ADHD Parent Support Group – MONDAY, November 6th from 6:30-8 PM at NAP in Northampton. Come be heard and find the support you need. Free. Refreshments.

Sunday Day Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday November 12th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

Paradise City Dragon Boat will host “Ride the Dragon” on September 24, in Easthampton, MA. Come enjoy a day of family fun and watch teams compete in dragon boat tug-of-wars on Nashawannuck Pond. There will be music from DJ Rockin’ Reenie, taiko drum performances, martial arts demonstrations, food and craft vendors, raffles, children’s activities and dragon boat rides. The event is free and open to the public. More info:https://www.paradisedragons.org/ridethedragon

Free treatment may be available for new moms struggling with depression, anxiety, or other perinatal emotional complications. Must be at least 18, have a child under the age of 2, and live in the Pioneer Valley. For more information, please call the Trauma Institute at 413.774.2340, ext. 105.

Fina said,

Is your family impacted by addiction? Do you have questions about the disease of addiction? Would you like to hear from others in your situation? Join our family group starting September 7,2017 from 6:30 P.M- 7:30 P.M on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Group will be held at the Clean slate Addiction Center
900 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield MA 01089
Any questions please call (413)788-0100

Are you involved in raising your grandchildren, nieces or nephews or other family members?

We know how much stress this can bring. If you would like some support we are here to help! Come meet others in similar circumstances, we share joys and concerns and learn from each other.

Northampton: Tomorrow, Monday 8/14/17 and continuing on the 2nd Mondays of every month, from 10 am -11:30 pm, a kinship care support group will be offered at the Northampton Senior Center, Conz Street, Northampton, MA. .

Florence: A support group is also offered in Florence, at Meadowbrook Apartments in their Community Room, on the 3rd Mondays from 5:30-7:30 pm. Our next meeting, on August 21st, we will talk about school transitions. Childcare and a light supper is provided.

Huntington: On the 4th Wednesdays from 10 am -12 pm at the Hilltown Family Center, 9 Russell Rd. (Route 20). Our next meeting is on August 20th. Refreshments served. Childcare available.

For more information, please call Pat Keith, The United Arc, Grandparent Programs Resource Coordinator, at 413-563-1981 or email patkeith@unitedarc.org.

In this 3-hour workshop for young songwriters, we will focus on what it is that makes great lyrics! In a supportive and lively environment, we will do exercises to spark your creativity and craft those creative ideas into vivid lyrics for your own songs. We will explore ways to find the best words to express your own unique ideas, and organize rhythms and rhymes into compelling verses, choruses, and bridges. Most importantly, we’ll dig into what makes your writing voice uniquely yours – and what can, in turn, help make your lyrics and songs all your own. This workshop is for all levels of musicians interested in exploring their lyric-writing voice. No lyric-writing experience necessary; experience playing an instrument is helpful but not necessary.

The Bridge Family Resource Center’s Summer Book Mobile! Come and check us out, and take home some FREE books! They are yours to keep. You do not need to return them. Come join us at the following locations from 11-12 (notice slight time difference for Belchertown locations).

• July 14th – Bangs Community Center in Amherst
• July 21st – Easthampton Police Department
• August 4th – Cliffside Apartments in Sunderland
• August 11th – Family Housing in Belchertown – 11:00-11:30 (95 George Hannum Rd.) and 12-12:30(45 State St.)
• August 18th – The Boulders Apartment Complex in Amherst
• August 25th – The Bridge Family Resource Center in Amherst

Research Studies at Amherst College
Kids ages birth -12 and their families are invited to participate in research studies on social learning and peer relationships this summer on campus in the Merrill Science building.

You’re invited to a festive summer afternoon at the Mead! Sample iced tea and sweet treats as you pose for a photo in a seventeenth-century English room, discover drinking vessels from around the world, plant a seed, sketch a landscape, and more! Feel free to bring your own picnic to enjoy outdoors if you wish. Free and open to all.

NCCHP Museum 2017 Living History Program in Granville starts Wednesday, May 24th at 6:30PM.

Rick Spencer and Dawn Indermuehle will play and sing popular songs from the 19th century in their “American Popular Music Time Machine” show. Rick has performed many times at NCCHP, has a vast musical repertoire and plays several instruments. Dawn has been his partner in harmony for two years and their shows are always a crowd favorite.

Living history programs are free for NCCHP members and donations are gratefully accepted from other guests. Light refreshments will be served after the program.

The NCCHP museum is located in the historic buildings of the Noble & Cooley Toy Drum Company at 42 Water St. in Granville, MA.

Pat Keith said,

Are you involved in raising your grandchildren, nieces or nephews or other family members?

We know how much stress this can bring! If you would like some support, we are here to help.

Beginning tomorrow, May 17, from 10-11:30 pm, a support group will be offered at the Northampton Senior Center, Conz Street, Northampton, MA. Light refreshments will be servd. For more information, please call Pat Keith, The United Arc, Grandparent Programs Coordinator, at 413-563-1981.

The service is provided by a collaboration of The United Arc, Highland Valley Elder Services & the Northampton Senior Center.

Carmen Elsa Lopez Abramson said,

Family in search of house to rent within twenty-five minutes of the Hartsbrook School, beginning anytime now through September 1st. Dad is permaculturalist studying at the Conway School. Mom is yoga instructor and shamanic practitioner. Ideal setup would be unfurnished, some backyard space and close proximity to woods and/or trails. Any leads would be greatly appreciated!

Sunday Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday April 9th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

New Girl Scout troops are forming in Granby and South Hadley! To learn more and to join in the fun, parents and their daughters are invited to attend an informational meeting on Jan. 24 at the South Hadley Public Library.

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Leo Roy announced the theme of 2017’s fifth grade Arbor Day Poster Contest: “Trees are Terrific…from Berkshires to Bay!” Fifth grade classes from both public and private schools across the Commonwealth are encouraged to participate in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest by having the students create posters highlighting this year’s theme, and then hosting a school poster contest. The winning poster from each school can then be submitted to the agency for review.

“I am delighted that students from across the Commonwealth continue to participate in the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s annual Arbor Day Poster Contest,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “Every year the agency receives excellent posters from many of the state’s fifth grade students, and I am excited to view this year’s creative entries.”

First place prizes for the DCR Arbor Day Poster Contest include a tree planting ceremony at the winner’s school, a certificate for art and science supplies, and more. Second Place, Third Place, and Honorable Mention winners will also receive art and science supplies.

“The Arbor Day Poster Contest is a fun way for students to use their creativity and put their knowledge about trees to use,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. “I encourage all students to consider participating.”

Important benefits trees provide the Commonwealth include:

The reduction in energy consumption;

The cleaning of both water and air;

The reduction of noise pollution;

The beautification of communities; and,

The providing of habitats for wildlife.

This year’s theme, “Trees are Terrific…from Berkshires to Bay!” is designed to highlight the importance of trees within Massachusetts’ communities and diverse landscapes throughout the state. Additionally, the Arbor Day Poster Contest combines both art and science in an effort to instill the vital role trees have on the public’s daily lives.

The DCR Urban and Community Forestry Program, with support from the U.S. Forest Service, sponsors the annual contest for fifth graders across the Commonwealth. Posters must be submitted by March 15, 2017, and the contest is open to all students currently enrolled in the fifth grade. An Arbor Day Poster Contest Guide is available on the DCR website or can be obtained by contacting Mollie Freilicher, 413-577-2966 or mollie.freilicher@state.ma.us.

Sunday Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday February 12th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

Williams College is seeking “books” for its sixth annual Human Library, taking place on Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Paresky student center.

Founded in 2001 in Denmark, The Human Library project aims to “promote human rights and social cohesion… create greater understanding between people… and provide a safe space where people can learn more about each other and work through stereotypes and discrimination present in our community in order to ultimately forge new connections between people.” The Human Library event has been held at Williams annually since 2012.

A Human Library has “books” and “readers,” all of whom are, as the name suggests, human. Each book volunteers to share a personal story about a topic related to stereotypes and discrimination. Readers “check out” books with titles such as “Buddhist,” “Growing up in the Jim Crow South,” “Interracial Family,” or “Recovering Alcoholic,” for 30 minutes and participates in a one-on-one conversation about the book’s life and experiences. The book can also ask questions of the reader, prompting further discussion about shared experiences and differing perspectives. To engage in these discussions, each reader must sign a form agreeing to respect each book.

Individuals with stories they would like to share are encouraged to volunteer. This year, the project is looking to add new titles to add to the collection such as Refugee, Parenting Autism, Orphan, Home Schooled, Teen Parent, NRA Member, Homeless, PTSD, Brain Damaged, Addict, Convert, Eating Disorder, Polyamorous, Anti-Vaxxer, Trump Supporter, etc. To volunteer as a book, fill out the Become a Book form (http://sites.williams.edu/humanlibrary/become-a-book/) no later than Feb. 1. To suggest someone else as a book, fill out the form Suggest a Book (http://sites.williams.edu/humanlibrary/suggestions/).

St. Stanislaus School Open House & Catholic Schools Week:
January 29th – February 4th

St. Stanislaus School: Community of Faith, Knowledge and Service
We are a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) school providing quality education in Western Massachusetts.

Our annual celebration of National Catholic Schools Week begins next Sunday, January 29th. The theme for the event is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service”, which highlights our focus on faith development, academic excellence, and dedication to service, where today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders. We’ve planned a variety of events to show how we are accomplishing this as a community at St. Stanislaus School.

Our air-conditioned facility includes a cafeteria with a full hot lunch program, gymnasium, science lab, art & music room, library/media center, playground, and much more.

An Open House will be held on:
Sunday, January 29, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.,
Tuesday, February 7, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
To schedule a private tour, call (413) 592-5135. Visit our school’s website or Facebook page for schedules.

New Girl Scout troops are forming in Dalton, Windsor, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, and Becket! To learn more and to join in the fun, parents and their daughters are invited to attend an informational meeting on Jan. 23 at the Dalton Free Public Library @ 5 pm.

Find out how you can join in on the fun! Contact Rachel Katler, 413-727-7124, rkatler@gscwm.org.

Sunday Breakfast – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast on Sunday January 8 from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

NCTV is proud to be accepting applications for a multi-week workshop in documentary production taught by veteran filmmaker Larry Hott of Florentine Films/Hott Productions. The course will be limited to six filmmakers. This is an exceptional and rare opportunity, a collaboration between a multiple national award-winning filmmaker in Hott, including multiple Academy Award nominations, and a community media arts organization in NCTV that was named the best in the nation in 2016. And the class is entirely FREE.

Participants will produce a short documentary under Larry Hott’s supervision, using the equipment and facilities of NCTV. The workshop includes of screening and critiquing a diverse variety of documentary work for style, content, point-of-view, and production values. Funding, producing, directing, editing, copyright, archives, rights, research methods, budgets, story structure, interviewing, music, distribution, and how to position a project for broadcast or foreign sales, will be covered in the class. NCTV personnel will be available for help with equipment and editing. Participants will come away with an understanding of how professional documentaries are produced, broadcast and distributed.

Larry Hott has been producing documentary films since 1978, when he left the practice of law to join Florentine Films. His awards include an Emmy, two Academy Award nominations, a George Foster Peabody Award, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Journalism Award, The Erik Barnouw OAH History Award, five American Film Festival Blue Ribbons, fourteen CINE Golden Eagles, screenings at Telluride, and first-place awards from the San Francisco, Chicago, National Educational, and New England Film Festivals. He has produced and directed twenty-five major documentaries for national broadcast and many short films for online distribution.

Hott was the Fulbright Fellow in Film and Television in the United Kingdom in 1994. He received the Humanities Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities in 1995; a Massachusetts Cultural Council/Boston Film and Video Foundation Fellowship in 2001; and the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism in 2001. Hott has been on the board of non-fiction writers at Smith College and has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Massachusetts Cultural Commission, and the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities. In 2009, 2010, and 2012 Hott presented his films in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Algeria as part of the American Documentary Showcase, a program of the US Department of State. In 2015 he was a Fulbright Specialist in Vietnam teaching documentary in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts Sciences, the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America. Hott teaches regularly at the Maine Media Workshops and is on their board of directors.

The application deadline is December 30, 2016 at 6:00pm EST. Class members will be announced Friday, January 6, 2017. The classes will be held from 7-9pm at NCTV Studios on January 17, February 7, March 7, March 28, May 2, and May 16.

Hilltown Reuse Center said,

The 10th annual Hill Town Hob Nob will be held on Sat. Dec. 3 from 10 am to 1 pm at the Village Church on Main St. in Cummington.

Come hob nob with your neighbors at this community holiday gift re-exchange. It can even help you clean out your closets and save money.come with Gift quality items that you already have but do not need,are not using or just plain don’t want. Books,toys,games,music,art gadgets,clothing,etc. are welcome.They don’t have to perfect or in a box,you just have to know that they could make a great gift for someone else. They will be displayed for others to choose as a gift that they would like to give for the holidays. And of course,while you are there, pick out anything that you might like to give as a gift. All items are given and taken freely. No money is involved. The event is free.

Please feel welcome to bring a small plate of goodies to share if you like. Hot cider and good company will be served.

If you have any questions or want to leave items for re-giving in advance email thestormcrows@yahoo.com to make arrangements.

Breakfast with Santa – Berkshire Lodge of Masons
The Berkshire Lodge of Masons, 63 Center Street in Adams (The Elks Lodge Building), will be putting on a Breakfast with Santa on Sunday December 4 from 8:00 am to 11:30 am.

2016 FILM CONTEST FOR WESTERN MASS STUDENTS GRADES 3 TO 12
Make a fun, creative short film on any topic you really care about.

The 2016 Whole Picture Film Contest is now accepting entries from students in grades 3 through 12 living in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties. Students create a short film no longer than 5 minutes in length showing ways of solving a problem, issue or challenge that means something to them. They are free to work individually or collaboratively with groups of friends, in clubs, afterschool programs or as a classroom project. Students can use any style they choose – fiction or non-fiction, animated, dramatic, documentary, poetic style, personal narrative, etc. The FINAL DEADLINE is January 15, 2017. It is FREE to enter. Cash prizes total more than $1600.00.

The Whole Picture Film Contest is committed to “learning from the inside out”. It inspires critical reflection and holistic (“whole picture”) thinking. It supports each student’s innate curiosity and desire to learn and encourages them to find their own authentic voice and concerns through filmmaking. It encourages imagination, problem solving and organizational skills and helps cultivate empathy. The contest is aligned with the Mass. Curriculum Frameworks for English Language Arts and Literacy.

Here’s how it works: 1. Students in grades 3 to 12 can pick a problem, challenge or issue that’s important to them, their family, friends or community. 2. They research the issue from multiple points of view. 3. They seek out the causes. 4. They propose ways to solve it. 5. They then make a creative film that inspires others to think and act.

Laurie Davidson said,

Free bilingual concert on Veteran’s Day, Friday November 11
10:30 at Full Circle School in Bernardston
21 Parmenter Rd (2 miles from exit 28 off Rt 91)
Geared towards ages 0-5, but fun for the whole family

Students at Amherst College are learning more every day about how kids think. Our Child Learning and Development Lab (CLAD)is looking for kids ages 3-10 years old to do short, fun, child-centered activities that help us know more about them. Your child’s contribution is a significant contribution to our knowledge of child development.

•Reserved parking on campus just for you
•Short, flexible times both after school and evenings. It just takes about 20 minutes.
•We care! You are near your child at all times.
• Kids have fun while earning prizes.

Kerri Washington said,

Come shop for the upcoming holiday season with your local crafters and vendors!
We are still accepting applications for Crafters & Vendors at our 6th annual DistinguishedYW Craft & Vendor Fair Fundraiser!

When: Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 9am-3pm(set-up from 8am-9am)

Where: Eastworks Building

116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton, MA

The fee per table is $50 plus a donation of your product for a raffle table. The DistinguishedYW Scholarship Program raises money through the table fees and raffles only. Tables will be limited to only one per type of product, so no direct competitors.

Advertising for Fair will be made via Craigslist, Facebook, email and all around town.

cyndy sperry said,

The Chesterfield Cultural Council is looking for proposals for community oriented arts, humanities, and science projects for 2017. The council seeks programming beneficial to town residents, especially seniors and families. Through such programming Chesterfield becomes a welcoming place to live and work and keeps community spirit alive. For proposal applications and guidelines please visit: http://www.mass-culture.org/Chesterfield. All applications must be completed online and programs taking place at a Chesterfield venue must be accompanied by a letter of support from a representative of that venue. Application deadline is October 17, 2016.

A review of the Housing Rehabilitation Program, the HEN Program, HOPE, Food Pantry and Childcare Subsidy Program will be conducted.

Anyone interested in sharing ideas or comments regarding these programs is welcome and encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend but would still like to provide feedback, please send an email to beavh@hilltowncdc.org or mail your comments to Hilltown CDC, PO Box 17, Chesterfield, 01012

A series of community forums will shape recommendations for healthy eating and active living

On September 19th and 21st, Healthy Hampshire, in partnership with the Hilltown Community Health Center (HCHC) and the Hilltown Community Development Corporation (HCDC), will host a Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) to facilitate a series of meetings focused on increasing opportunities for healthy eating and active living in 10 Hilltown communities.

Healthy Hampshire is a collaboration among local leaders, businesses, community-based organizations, and residents. It is focused on improving health by promoting access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity. Part of the Mass in Motion statewide initiative through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Healthy Hampshire is administered by the City of Northampton in partnership with the Collaborative for Educational Services.

In the fall of 2015, Healthy Hampshire initiated a partnership with the Hilltown Community Health Center. Through this partnership, HCHC receives funding to develop programs and procedures focused on delivering a high quality of healthcare to patients who are at risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Healthy Hampshire will support HCHC’s prevention work by developing community-based strategies to increase access to healthy food and physical activity in the 10 Hilltowns of Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Russell and Worthington. While three of these towns (Blandford, Chester, and Russell) are in Hampden County, they are included because they align with HCHC’s primary service area.

“Residents of the rural towns of western Hampshire and Hampden Counties face unique challenges accessing healthy activities and foods,” said Eliza Lake, Executive Director of HCHC. “We are very happy to be partnering with Healthy Hampshire and the HCDC to learn more about these challenges and work together with our communities to address them.”

In order to identify healthy eating and active living goals for the Hilltowns, Healthy Hampshire applied for—and was awarded—the opportunity to work with a Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT). The SDAT program, an initiative of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), sends teams of volunteer professionals from a variety of disciplines to communities to work with them on sustainable design issues.

“We are very excited to work with the AIA, HCHC, and HCDC on creating a healthier Hilltown region,” said Sarah Bankert, Healthy Hampshire Program Manager. “The AIA has a wealth of experience in delivering these services to communities, and they will help us develop a clear scope for our work in the Hilltowns.”

Two community forums will be held on Monday, September 19th for the SDAT to hear from Hilltown residents—one at Gateway Regional High School in Huntington and the other at the Cummington Community House. Both sessions will take place from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Residents from the 10 towns are welcome and encouraged to attend whichever session is most convenient for them.

A meeting to hear recommendations from the SDAT will take place at Gateway Regional High School on September 21stfrom 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Residents from all 10 towns are welcome and encouraged to attend.

A light dinner, childcare and transportation are offered at all three sessions. RSVP is required by September 12th for transportation. Please contact Caitlin Marquis at (413) 588-5562 if you need a ride.

sullykaren said,

Hi, I am a kindergarten teacher who loves to stimulate learning on the playground. I am looking for a used, free, stainless steel sink to add to my kitchen area. If you can help me, please call me at 628-4685.

A group of undergraduates from the iCons program at UMass Amherst has developed a science case study for self-directed high school students. It is designed to help a student work through a global problem and develop a potential solution to the problem. You can see it at https://spark.adobe.com/page/lmNQi/ .

Hi, I’m looking for a home rental in the area. I live in Amherst now, in the same apt for 10 years, but I need to get out into a more rural area. I’m looking for a smallish house, 2-3 bedrooms. I’d prefer in a location with no or spotty cell reception and some privacy, like a backyard with no view from neighbors. However, I’m open to any smaller home rentals in the area. Thanks so much. lisesheehan@yahoo.com or 413-687-0952

HELP WANTED: OFFICE CLEANING HUNTINGTON & WORTHINGTON
3 early evenings per week
Approximately 3 1/2 hours per night (6 to 9:30)
$12.75 per hour to start
For more information on our company feel free to visit:
Greatwhitecleaning.com
or find us on Facebook using our user name @attackingdirt

Are you 62 or older and looking for an affordable, independent living apartment in the country?

Waitlists are open until August 1, 2016

Hilltown CDC is currently opening their waitlists for both Phase I and Phase II apartments at Westhampton Woods Senior Housing community. All units are 1-bedroom, single-story design. Applicants’ names will be put in randomized order, and added to the current waitlists.

Laurie said,

Leaping Rabbit Farm is seeking homesteading rental opportunity for our heirloom birds gsd and gardens. Flexible move time up to end of July, great references and a strong desire for continued community connection. Non-smoking. Three bedrooms and wood stove preferred. Able to meet organic growing regulations practices. ashandvine@hotmail.com

Jeanne said,

Service for Peace
Please join The First Church of Deerfield in Old Deerfield, MA. on Sunday, May 8th, at 10:00 for an Interfaith Peace Service to raise understanding and respect across religious traditions in a time when many are calling for division and isolation. We also hoped to raise awareness of the Syrian refugees’ struggle and the Syrian American Medical Society’, work with refugees.
Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener of Temple Israel, Greenfield ,MA. and Dr. M. Saleem Bajwa from the Western Massachusetts Islamic Center will be co-presiding over the service with our Interim Minister Rev. Winston Baldwin.
It will be a Family Service of sacred readings, reflections and a shared children’s story, The Golden Rule. The worship service will also include choral music and hymns lead by The First Church Choir and Thomas Pousont our Music Director.

The cookbook Soup for Syria will be sold during fellowship time after the service. Half the proceeds of the book go to the Syrian American Medical Society(SAMS).

Huntington – Anyone living in the six Gateway hilltowns (Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery and Russell) who has a child who will be 5 on or before September 1, 2016, is asked to call their local elementary school to schedule a Kindergarten Screening.

Families from the towns of Huntington, Montgomery and Russell are asked to contact Mrs. Jodi Fairman at Littleville Elementary School (685-1300). The Littleville Kindergarten Screening will be held on Monday, May 16 from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Families from the towns of Blandford, Chester and Middlefield are advised to contact Mrs. Donna Morrissey at Chester Elementary School at 685-1360. The Chester Elementary School Kindergarten Screening will be held on Monday, May 23 between 8 and 11 a.m.

Kindergarten screenings will be held by appointment. Gateway teachers and staff will evaluate the children on speech and language, learning style, and recognition of letters, names and sounds. There will be no school for current kindergarten children on the day that their school is holding a screening.

Families who have notified their school office will receive a Kindergarten registration packet.

Sabra Billings said,

Looking for parents interested in a free discussion about challenges with their child’s education in the traditional system and their apprehensions about navigating possible alternative educational opportunities. I am a working parent of three who is very interested in this topic. This will be a casual discussion most relevant to parents of teens or older elementary school children and is only a discussion – not an attempt to sell anything. I’m starting to explore what the needs are in this area and expect we will all get something out of this group conversation. The group size will be limited to 6 people and it will be an open, confidential and non-judgmental discussion. Refreshments will be served. 6:30-8pm on Thursday, February 18th in Bernardston, MA. Please respond to sabraeliza@gmail.com to RSVP and get additional details.

Huntington – Parents and guardians of students living in the Gateway Regional School District are advised that applications are now available for students interested in applying to Smith Vocational or Westfield Technical Academy for the 2016-17 school year. Applications are available in the Jr. High School Guidance Office for 8th graders, and in the High School Guidance Office for any interested high school students.

All parents should note that an application for a vocational program must be submitted to the Junior High School Guidance Office (for students currently in grade 8) or the Senior High School Guidance Office (for students currently in high school) by Monday, March 1, 2016, in order for students to be eligible. In addition to submitting the application, an interview with the Vocational Program Admissions Counselor along with a recommendation from the Gateway Guidance Counselor will need to be obtained for each applicant. All students choosing to complete an online application should notify the Gateway Jr. High School or High School Guidance Office.

Students looking for a vocational education are reminded that Gateway offers a fully accredited vocational program in welding. The welding program uses a virtual welding system that allows students to safely learn and practice new techniques. Students interested in visiting the Gateway welding program are always welcome and should see their guidance counselor to arrange a visit. This option affords students to stay at their home school, which features a strong academic program that allows for a Career/ Technology track with different graduation requirements. Gateway also offers strong athletic programs that include Varsity and Junior Varsity options.

Parents/guardians of 8th grade students are encouraged to contact Mr. William Romani regarding the vocational application process. Mr. Romani can be reached by phone (685-1207) or email (wromani@grsd.org ). Current high school students who wish to apply for a vocational school next year may contact the high school guidance office (685-1107).

Paula Bilodeau said,

Hilltown CDC will be submitting a grant application for FY16 to continue the Housing Rehab Program for the towns of Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Westhampton, and Worthington. If you have used the Housing Rehab Program in the past, would like to use it in the future, or know someone who could benefit from using the program, we’d like to hear from you. Do you have any ideas for changes to the program, any input regarding the design of the program, or any suggestions for improving our overall effectiveness?

Please call or email your ideas no later than January 21, 2016.
All suggestions for improvements are welcome.
Please be sure to request an application if interested when calling or emailing.

Contact Paula Bilodeau, Program Manager, at (413) 296-4536, ext. 123 or email paulab@hilltowncdc.org for more information or an application.
Funding is provided by the US Dept. of HUD/DHCD and MA CDBG Programs.

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity to Build 2 Affordable Homes in Amherst. Homes are priced at no more than $135,000. Eligible applicants will have incomes up to 50% of area median income which is adjusted for family size.

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce that applications are available for 2 homeownership opportunities in Amherst. The application deadline is February 1st, 2016. Both units will have three bedrooms and 1.5 baths and are designed to be “visitable” by someone in a wheelchair.

Families interested in submitting an application are invited to attend one of the following information sessions:

During the information session, potential applicants will learn about Habitat’s selection criteria and how to prepare a complete application. The selection criteria include housing need, ability to make modest mortgage payments, and willingness to partner with Habitat, such as participating in the construction of the home and other Habitat projects.

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity (PVH) serves Hampshire and Franklin Counties; they seek to eliminate homelessness and substandard housing by making decent affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action for all people. PVH builds homes with volunteer labor and donations of material, supplies, land, and services. PVH then sells each home with a no-interest mortgage to a low-income family. The family becomes an active Habitat partner contributing many hours of sweat equity during the construction of their home. Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 35 families since their founding in 1989. Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity housing provider.

For information about becoming a Habitat homeowner, donating, or volunteering please visit our website at http://www.pvhabitat.org or call the Pioneer Valley Habitat office at 413-586-5430.

Bethany A/G is hosting it’s 41st year of the Spectacular Singing Christmas Tree. There are four performances this coming week-end Dec.11-13. This is a free event: Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 6:00; Sunday at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. 580 Main St., Agawam, MA 789-2930http://www.bethany-ag.org

Susan Riley said,

Cummington Mass – A silent solidarity march in support of resistance to the proposed Kinder-Morgan pipe yard will begin at 9:30AM on Sunday, December 13 at the Cummington Village Church, 32 Main Street Cummington, Mass. The march will be followed by a free showing of the documentary Groundswell Rising: Protecting Our Children’s Air and Water at the Village Church at 2PM.

Marchers will proceed 5.1 miles uphill to the Waryjasz Farm field, site of a weekly protest against turning the 300 acre APR (Agricultural Protection Restriction) farmland into a construction yard. Marchers are asked to proceed in silence, or chanting quietly, focusing on prayers and concerns for the land, animals and all people along the pipeline route. Individuals are welcome to join along the way; a car will follow the marchers for those who wish to ride. People can also join the march at the junction of Route 116 and Plainfield Road at approximately noon to 12:30PM to walk the last ½ mile to the field. Parking is available at the Mr. Tire lot on the corner. Steve Philbrick, Minister of West Cummington Congregational Church, will offer a blessing at the field.

Risks and realities associated with pipelines and compressor stations are well documented and include carcinogenic gases being released into the air on a regular basis, leaks of methane gas, explosions and fires, light and sound pollution, and contamination of local water sources. According to Dr. Sheila Bushkin-Bedient, MD, MPH who spoke recently in Nassau, NY, on the topic “Health Impacts of Living Within 10 Miles of a Compressor Station”, symptoms occurring in children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems include stinging eyes and throat, irregular heartbeat, depression, and liver impairment.

Immediately following the march, there will be a showing of Groundswell Rising: Protecting Our Children’s Air and Water, a 70- minute documentary focusing on the opposition from both sides of the political spectrum to the ubiquitous practice of fracking for natural gas and the health and environmental reasons behind it. This important documentary will be shown free of charge at the Cummington Village Church. Desserts and coffee will be served. All are welcome. Participants who wish to be informed of weather conditions, etc. or have quest ions can, e-mail: Susan Riley

Williamsburg- 3rd Monday, 1-2:30 pm, 141 Main St., Haydenville- November 16th: a special art activity with Marie Westburg, Williamsburg Senior Center Director. Supplies will be provided to use and to take home. A similar art activity will be available for children that attend. Please call to reserve childcare.

You may ask, just what are Grandfamilies? Grandfamilies is the name used to describe families that are created when a relative or friend rises to care for other relatives children. This happens for a multitude of reasons, with the occurrence on the rise. There are even great grandparents parenting again! Along with the satisfaction of helping and the joy, there are many difficulties that also surface. Among them, grief for the child, the parents and yourself, financial strain on your budget, lost independence for you and your family and perhaps the need to change or leave your employment. We at the United Arc believe that this is often too hard to navigate on your own. To help alleviate your difficulties and added stress we offer support groups where you are welcome to come, to learn about resources, to share and be heard. Talking with others that are in the same position and possibly experiencing similar problems can provide great relief. Our groups are relaxed, friendly and supportive. We invite you to join us at any one or all of the groups listed below. If you are unable to attend a group but would like someone to talk to we can meet or speak on the phone.

Self care is very important and too often the last to make time for. You are important, even more so now with your added responsibilities. Make this a priority for you and join us! Just drop in. Refreshments served.
For additional information, please call or email Pat Keith, Grandfamilies Program Coordinator, United Arc. patkeith@unitedarc.org, 413-563-1981

Preschool aged children and their families/ caregivers are invited to The Bement School in historic Deerfield on Thursday, October 29 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Our guests will enjoy a story hour, make crafts, have a snack, and then enjoy a play performance by our first grade class. For more information: http://www.bement.org/bementplay15.pdf

The Berkshire Museum has joined Museums for All, a signature access program of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to encourage families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. The program will enable low-income families (two adults and two children) to visit the Berkshire Museum free with the presentation of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Families can also visit any participating museum year-round for a minimal fee. Museums for All is part of the Berkshire Museum’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all.

Chicopee Downtown Block Party is happening Saturday, September 12th, 2015 from 12:00 pm until 11:00 pm… food/drink, live entertainment and LOTS OF FAMILY FUN!
The mission of this event is ” to promote the downtown as a public space with many functions and envision a bustling future for its streetscape” Free admission, and plenty of parking.
We at the Chicopee Cultural Council will be there too, asking for opinions on what types of programs you as our community members would like to see funded by the generous grants we regrant locally from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For more information please visit http://chicopeeblockparty.blogspot.com/

Join us for the perfect introduction to nature. This one-hour hike will allow your child or children, birth to 5 years old, to gently discover the natural world around them, and give you skills to confidently lead explorations of your own. This is an opportunity to explore the changing nature and beauty of Arcadia with your youngster each month. Feel free to stay longer to play in the nature play area or have a picnic lunch.
Instructions:

Please dress for the weather, we will be outdoors the whole time.
Registration is required.
Call 413-584-3009 to register by phone.

We continue to offer FREE Head Start half-day preschool programs and FREE Early Head Start and Head Start home-visiting programs as well as state-subsidized, sliding scale options for your full-day childcare needs. Limited transportation available.

Apply now for our new program options!
Franklin County 413- 475-1405
Hampshire County 413-387-1250
Western Hampden County 413-654-1770.

Shelly Bathe Lenn said,

Northampton, MA – The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens opens October 18, 2015 for new and returning bereaved families. All families with children ages 5-18 who have experienced the death of a close family member are invited to be a part of this support group free of charge.

“Bringing my kids to The Garden helps us to make our first baby steps to mend our hearts and go on.” a Garden participant told us. Young people meet in small groups participating in projects; games and activities meant to facilitate their grieving process and led by trained and supervised adult volunteers. Adult family members meet separately with other caregivers to talk about how to support their children, who may or may not outwardly show their grief.

The Garden will provide bereavement support at no cost to grieving families with young children from throughout Western Massachusetts beginning October 18. All groups are held at Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice at 168 Industrial Dr. in Northampton on Sunday afternoons.

Families are encouraged to call now to schedule an intake interview or obtain more information. Contact Shelly Bathe Lenn at 413 582 5312 or via email shelly.thegarden@gmail.com

Enjoy a late summer paddle down the Mill River. We’ll keep an eye out for beaver as well as several bird species.
Instructions and Directions:
Dress to be on the water, possible, water shoes and a hat are recommended. Please bring water.

For all programs below:
Registration is required.
Call 413-584-3009 to register by phone.

Shelly Bathe Lenn said,

Northampton, MA (August 24, 2015)—The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens—a program of Cooley-Dickinson VNA & Hospice supports grieving young people and their families at no charge, announces a Call for Artists. The Garden seeks local artists to participate in an inaugural fundraising silent-auction as part of the Garden Party scheduled for October 4th. The Garden Party will take place in the Healing Garden at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA

We look forward to an incredible silent-auction!

Artists are invited to submit a uniquely designed, 3-d watering can. The artist may paint, sculpt, transform, or adorn a watering can using mosaic, mirrors, tiles, or other media. The watering can may range in size from 12”-24”. Upon request an aluminum watering can to be provided by The Garden. All materials required for designing the watering can are the responsibility of the artist.

All artist-designed watering cans and supplemental materials must be completed by October 1. Please contact Shelly Bathe Lenn with any questions at shelly_lenn@cooley-dickinson.org or 413 582 5312.

Since our last luncheon & workshop, Tastes of Summer, was such a success, we’ve invited Chef Odessa Piper back to demonstrate her recipes for sweet and savory pies at an extra, grand finale summer event on the farm!

James Beard Award-winning Chef Odessa Piper has discovered delicious combinations of seasonal ingredients encased in pies and tarts. Following a beautiful farm luncheon featuring Odessa’s recipes, she will share and demonstrate her secrets for these fabulous dishes.

Perfect preparation for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays!
Wow your friends and family with deliciously flakey crusts and exciting, new fillings.

Farm tour at 1:45
Experience Bug Hill’s gardens, perennial plantings, and farm store. Participants will have the opportunity to sample from the variety of products we make on the farm.

Workshop demonstrations at 2:15
Odessa will share how dishes from the luncheon menu were made, providing recipes for delicious ways to encase fruits, herbs, and vegetables of the season in a variety of pies.

She will cover tricks to tame difficult phyllo pastry into a reliable dough for canapés and tarts. Participants will also make serving cups out of parmesan cheese with a crisp, salty casing to compliment an entree salad of herbs and berries.
We hope to see you there!

Andrew Grant-Thomas said,

Hey folks – in November my partner, Melissa, and I will launch a project called EmbraceRace. We’d very much welcome the participation of members from the Hilltown Families community.

The idea is to pull together an online community of discussion and practice around caring for and socializing young kids in the context of race. We’ll have a web site, podcast, Facebook page, and other platforms, all forming an interactive community ofsupport for those of us – parents, teachers, counselors, grandparents, day careproviders, aunts and uncles – trying to raise kids with healthy racial sensibilities. Kid bloggers are more than welcome too!

Please note that EmbraceRace is not only for parents! It’s for anyone who has a role in the lives of children and/or anyone who might have useful information, insight, questions, concerns, or experiences to share w/those who do – about race, for example. It’s for a great many of us!

The heart and soul of the initiative will be the thoughts and ideas and questions and experiences that folks bring to the community table, often in the form of blog posts. Here’re some things to consider if you – or someone you know – might want to blog for EmbraceRace.

1. If you’re a parent, teacher, other caretaker, you don’t have to focus on your interaction with your kid(s) about race. EmbraceRace is largely about how adults engage with race and making ourselves more informed and thoughtful about it. Thinking of it that way really opens up the blogging possibilities.

2. Write (or record audio or video or …) about something you care about and want to engage. We hope people see this as an opportunity.

3. Don’t be afraid to make a little ‘project’ out of this. It can be just you, your thoughts, and your computer. It can also be you interviewing your kids. Or interviewing your parents about that race-related thing that happened in 8th grade. It could be a series of response posts between you and whomever. Or… who knows? Have fun with this!

4. Frequency and regularity of posting are up to you. We can very probably make whatever works for you work for EmbraceRace.

5. Be as thoughtful and honest as possible. Hey – none of us is likely to lay bare everything we think and feel around race (and family, friends, etc.) on a blog site. But being as honest and thoughtful as you can about your experiences and thinking – not relying on cliches or standby family narratives – will probably be most helpful to you and your audience. If you want anonymity, you can post under your first name or initials.

6. You don’t need to be an ‘authority’ on raising children or race, much less both, to post. In fact, our main premise is that very few of us can or would claim authority at that very challenging intersection. Engage anyway. Speak your mind, your experiences, insights, convictions, doubts, concerns… speak them anyway.

7. 300-1000 words sounds about right. We probably won’t be too strict about length; folks should take the space to say what they want to say. That said, we think people generally will prefer to read 800 words than 1600 words, so we would prefer the former as well.

A delicious luncheon meal inspired by local cultivated and wild foods from the region, followed bycooking demonstrations with culinary herb expert and author of Wild Flavors, Didi Emmons, and local foods pioneer and chef of the farm-to-table restaurant L’Etoile, Odessa Piper.

The meal will feature Bug Hill’s fruits, as well as ingredients from local farms. Copies of Didi’s cookbook as well as Odessa’s booklet, “The Market Kitchen,” will be available for purchase. Stay after the workshop for pick-your-own berries, culinary herbs, and cutting flowers, plus a tour of the farm!

Teen Outreach Nutrition Exercise (TONE) program aims to improve the health and well-being of teens ages 13 to 18. As teens progress through the program, they’ll earn free memberships and TONE gear along the way. Each teen must receive a quick physical assessment and fitness room orientation from one of our personal trainers prior to starting. Enrollment is free and on a rolling basis. Participation provides access to the Norris Aquatics Center, the Fitzpatrick Fitness Center, Beinecke Gymnasium and all of our free to member fitness and aquatics classes.

Once a Blue Moon (Cada Luna Azul) is the first Latin American based spectacle in the company’s history, taking its story from the magic realism of Isabel Allende, Bioy Casares, and Jodorowski, as well as the popular theatre that Double Edge co-artistic director and actor Carlos Uriona created in his 20 years of work in his native Argentina. Joining us this Summer to compose the music will be Micaela Farias Gomez from Santadiabla and Manuel Uriona from Santadiabla and La Bersuit, visiting from Argentina; and Michal Kuriata from Poland who is creating the puppetry. the highly visual and imaginative performance will lead the audience alongside the hills, pastures, river, and gardens of Double Edge’s Farm, and will include sets created in collaboration with local and international visual artists and craftspeople, and the excitement of the Latin American carnival.

Double Edge Theatre offers discounted ticket packages for families, as well as discounted tickets for groups of 8 or up. The Spectacle performances are family-friendly and we often have children from age 4 and up in attendance.

Hello! Cultural Care Au Pair is currently seeking a Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) for the Northampton area.

You are an organizer, a mediator, a diplomat, a marketer and an advocate. You will find that working closely with host families and au pairs and marketing the Cultural Care Au Pair program are some of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of the local childcare coordinator role.

Become a local childcare consultant (LCC) in your community!

Cultural Care Au Pair provides flexible, affordable childcare for American families, and we rely on our local childcare consultants (LCCs) to provide on-the-ground support for host parents and au pairs during their year together. As an LCC, you are an independent contractor working out of your home office and have access to the main office as needed throughout the year.

As an LCC, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Provide local families with a much-needed customer service
Develop friendships with au pairs from all over the world
Become the local expert on au pair childcare in your community
Earn commission and other incentives based on your success
Qualify for domestic and international incentive trips
Network and learn with like-minded colleagues at local and national meetings
Have fun!

Interested? Learn more about the local childcare coordinator position or submit your qualifications today!

Eve Rosenfeld said,

I’m a research assistant at Harvard, working on a research study to understand typically developing children’s social and emotional development. We have a study for kids ages 8-13 and their parents, in order to better understand what factors lead to the development of social problems in kids. We’re recruiting families to participate this summer. We try to keep the study FUN for the kids (they receive prizes and gift cards) and parents are reimbursed as well for their time. It’s a great way to get involved and be a part of science!

The study information is below, if you are interested!

Thanks for your consideration! Please let me know if you have ANY questions!

Best,
Eve Rosenfeld

Healthy Kids Study:
The Social Neuroscience and Psychopathology lab at Harvard University is enrolling children ages 8-13 in a study exploring how the brain processes social situations and how this relates to children’s experiences of the world around them and their social relationships.
Your child may be eligible to participate if she or he:
1) Is between the ages of 8-13
2) Has no history of mental illness (e.g. anxiety, depression, psychosis)
3) Has no history of neurological problems

The study involves 2 parts:
1) A 3-4 hour behavioral session that includes questionnaires and interviews with a researcher. ($10/hour for the family)
2) A one-hour long brain scan during which your child will be asked to do some simple tasks ($25/hour for the family)

Additionally, your child will have a choice of receiving a gift card at the end of each part of the study.
To learn more about participating please call Sarah Hope Lincoln at 559-904-4431 or email childsocialstudy@gmail.com

Camp Counselors work with the Camp Director to run the Art Ninjas Camp. Each camp day revolves around a weekly theme and daily mission, and will include art projects, outdoor play, yoga/meditation, exploration in the MASS MoCA galleries, and free time. Each week includes a day-long hike. Campers range from ages 5-12; there are 20 campers per camp session. You may read more about the specifics of each camp here [http://kidspace.massmoca.org/art-camps/].

Responsibilities:

 Provide a safe and healthy environment for all campers

 Assist with leading art projects

 Effectively monitor campers’ behaviors

 Set up and clean up art activities and maintain cleanliness of camp space

 Serve as a positive role model for the campers

 Problem-solve through situations and seek assistance when necessary

 Maintain open communication with all camp staff

 Guide campers in participating successfully in all camp activities

 Participate in staff meetings (Monday and Friday afternoons)

Qualifications:

 18 years or older

 Experience working with children

 Ability to work and communicate with a variety of age and skill levels

 Ability to think quickly and effectively on your feet

 Energetic, responsible, dependable, and adaptable

Preferred:

 Art-making experience

 Camp counselor or art teaching experience

 CPR/First Aid certified

$10/hour. Hours are 8:15am-5pm, Monday-Fridays, from August 10-28. One training day is required on Wednesday, August 5, from 9am-5pm. If you are not already certified, there will be a mandatory CPR and First Aid training (date to be determined). We will be doing a CORI (background) check for all accepted applicants.

ArtBar assistants oversee public hours in the Kidspace gallery, facilitating drop-in art-making experiences for families. The ArtBar offers dynamic art activities that are thematically connected to current MASS MoCA exhibitions, especially the Kidspace exhibition, Walk in My Shoes. Assistants would fill in part-time, as needed. Responsibilities include preparing and tidying the gallery, welcoming visitors and answering questions, and supporting art-making by explaining and distributing art projects and materials. Successful candidates should be friendly, outgoing, and interested in the arts, and have flexible schedules.

$10/hour. Shifts are from 10am-7pm on Thursdays-Saturdays and 10am-6pm on Sundays-Wednesdays. Position would have occasional hours in July and move to 30+ hours per week from August 10 – September 7 (subject to availability). Preferably, the candidate would be available to stay on to work occasional weekend hours as-needed throughout the school year. Must be 18 years or older to apply.

The Amherst Business improvement District in collaboration with Tim Anderson, director of the UMass Minuteman marching band, is thrilled to announce the launch of three Amherst Community Band Concerts this summer. The concerts are scheduled for June 12, July 17, and August 14 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm in Sweetser Park in downtown Amherst.

The first Amherst Community band concert on June 12th kicks off the Amherst BID’s ‘Downtown Beats’, a series of musical events, aimed to bring more music and people into downtown Amherst during the summer. Another component of Downtown Beats is the Kendrick Park Summer Concert series, comprised of four concerts scheduled for July 16, 23, 30 and August 6 from 5:30-8:00pm. The Kendrick Park series will have musical acts from a variety of genres.

All concerts during Amherst BID’s Downtown Beats are free and open to the public. Food will not be sold at the concerts. Attendees are encouraged to purchase food and drinks at the many delicious restaurants surrounding both concert venues.

SANTANDER AND NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION LAUNCH 2015
SANTANDER SOCCER SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Parents Invited to Nominate Children; Sweepstakes Honors Star Students with Once-in-a-Lifetime In-Game Opportunities at Each Home Game throughout 2015 Season

What: In celebration of its commitment to education and the successful start to the New England Revolution’s 2015 season, Santander Bank, N.A. has announced the launch of its second consecutive Santander Soccer Scholars program. The program gives New England youth the chance to win a unique VIP Match Day experience with the Revolution in recognition of their academic achievement.

To participate in the Santander Soccer Scholars program, parents are invited to submit up to 100 words highlighting their child’s finest academic accomplishments from the 2014-2015 school year (www.revolutionsoccer.net/santander-soccer-scholars), between April 7 and October 1, 2015.

*Sweepstakes open only to individual legal residents of the six (6) New England states (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) who have attained the age of majority in their state of residence as of the date of entry. Participants in the Revolution clinic must be between the ages of six and 17. This Sweepstakes begins at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on April 7, 2015 and ends at 5:00 p.m. (ET) on October 1, 2015 (the “Sweepstakes Period”).

Who: New England parents and their children, ages six through 17

When: Scholars selected at random from entries on a rolling basis; one winner per each New England Revolution home game
Now through October 1, 2015

Huntington – Gator Grins—the school-based dental services program in the Gateway Regional School District—is returning from Chester Elementary school and will begin clinic hours on Tuesday, May 12 with students at Gateway complex and Littleville elementary.

Once staff are back on the Gateway campus, the program will operate Tuesdays and Thursdays until the end of the school year and start up again in September. Gator Grins will be serving students attending Littleville Elementary School, Gateway Regional Middle School, and the Jr./Sr. High School.

Both Gator Grins and the Gateway School-Based Health Center are operated by Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc.

Over its first few years, the program has grown to serve over 400 Gateway students. In addition, as more students receive routine and preventative dental care on a regular basis, the resources required for restorative (fillings) work has decreased substantially.

In addition to providing comprehensive dental care, staff from Gator Grins is also available to do classroom educational demonstrations if requested by teachers.

Parents who wish to enroll their child(ren) into Gator Grins need to complete a permission form and medical history, which are available on the Gateway website (www.grsd.org), under the Parents & Students drop-down menu > forms) or the http://www.hchcweb.org website or by contacting the people listed below. If your child has an existing treatment plan that needs to be signed, please do so as soon as possible. Gator Grins cannot begin treatment on any student without permission.

Northampton Mayor’s Youth Commission Announces BenchWalk 2015
An event aimed at bringing art to the downtown area and celebrating Northampton

Today, the Northampton Mayor’s Youth Commission announced BenchWalk 2015, The Summer Festival, a celebration of art and public space. BenchWalk is a public art project funded by local businesses, organizations, and residents. Artists and Northampton schools will be invited to create unique and imaginative paintings on the benches of downtown Northampton later this spring. Awards will be given to the artists for originality and creativity.

The Youth Commission, through donations from local businesses, will be paying selected artists to paint the benches of downtown Northampton. Each artist will be paid a stipend of $200-$450. Artists will have a period to submit proposals before they are judged by a jury and narrowed down to the best designs. During May, there will be a time period for artists to paint the benches.

BenchWalk was inspired by a similar project discussed in 2005 by the Youth Commission. Additionally, the recent challenges facing Northampton’s downtown area helped reignite the Youth Commission’s determination to create BenchWalk and celebrate public space.

The Youth Commission has worked closely with the Northampton Arts Council, Department of Public Works, and Mayor’s Office in designing and launching BenchWalk. Additionally, the Youth Commission has worked with local artist David Teeple, who has played an important role as a mentor and an art expert. He has been an advisor for budgeting, choosing paint, and event logistics.

Northampton City Council President and Youth Commission Liaison, William H. Dwight strongly endorsed the Youth Commission’s initiative.

BenchWalk and the Youth Commission’s recent sponsorship and vote in support of the Northampton plastic bag ban join a growing list of initiatives the Youth Commission has worked on to improve their community.

The Northampton Youth Commission serves to create a means of communication between city leaders and young people in Northampton. The Northampton Youth Commission is a group of people between the ages of 13 – 18 who are interested in working to improve the lives of young people in the community by discussing issues of concern and working to provide solutions. We are always open to new ideas and suggestions to involve youth in the community.

The Franklin Regional Council of Governments’ (FRCOG) Citizen Corps Program will hold a training for medical and non-medical personnel who want to volunteer in times of disaster on
Saturday, April 25th
from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
at the Hawlemont Regional School,
10 School Street, Charlemont, MA 01339.

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers assist in medical emergencies such as disasters, catastrophic incidents, mass vaccinations and prophylaxis for potential epidemics. Roles are assigned depending on the volunteer’s license, qualifications and training. Medical personnel from all areas are needed but even those without licenses can help in numerous ways.

There are a set of required classes and then an expectation that the volunteer will keep up with necessary trainings in the future. The MRC holds occasional drills, an annual meeting, and short monthly meetings.
All volunteers must complete a CORI check, a Personal and Family Preparedness Plan, two Incident Command classes and CPR/First Aid certification (if not already certified) within one year of joining the MRC.

Registration is required. Questions can be directed to the MRC Coordinator at 413-774-3167 X137 or emailed to citizencorps@frcog.org.

Adi Bemak will kick off a five-week series focused on the “Myth of the Perfect Parent”, hosted by the Insight PV parent meditation group. You are welcome to attend any and all weeks.

The weeks in April will be facilitated by members of the Insight PV parent group, exploring such topics as:
What does it mean to be a “good enough” parent?
Reconciling work/life priorities as a parent
What expectations do we have at different development stages? (pregnancy, birth, baby, pre-school, adolescent, adult)
How to accept ourselves as we are, while at the same time being open to change?

Monica Moran said,

The pizza party fundraiser for Hilltown Safety at Home will be from 6-9pm at the VFW in Russell this Friday, March 6th. It is sponsored by Friends of Hilltown Safety at Home. For more information call Phil at 413-977-1234 or email southernhillsdvtaskforce@gmail.com.

Monica Moran said,

Come to a family friendly pizza party fundraiser this Friday at the VFW in Russell! There will be music and lots and lots of raffles. There will be pizza, veggies, salad, and desserts! Kids under 5 come for free. Others pay $10 per person or $25 for a family. All money raised will go to Hilltown Safety at Home, which funds a domestic violence advocate in the hilltowns.

All Sessions to be held at: JFK Middle School’s Community Room, 100 Bridge Road, Florence, MA.

Family-friendly activities from 10:00 a.m. to noon March 7 to coincide with kindergarten registration. Activities include a local storyteller, story time, other fun activities, and a chance to practice getting on and off a school bus.

The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts Scholarship Committee announces scholarship applications are now available online at http://www.adclubwm.org. Applications will also be available through guidance departments at high schools in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties, or by contacting the Ad Club at 413-736-2582.

Western Massachusetts seniors who plan to attend an accredited college or technical school to study advertising, communications, marketing or graphics arts and will be attending in September 2015 are encouraged to apply. The scholarship must be applied against tuition and fees at the school. Candidates will be judged on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service and/or work experience, a demonstrated interest in advertising, communications, marketing or graphic design, personal recommendations, and a letter of introduction outlining future plans.

In 2015, one $1000 scholarship will be awarded. Completed scholarship applications and all support materials must be submitted to the Ad Club and postmarked by Friday, February 27, 2015. Scholarship decisions are made by the Scholarship Committee of Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, and are considered final. The scholarship will be awarded at the Ad Club’s Creative Awards show in May.

Chester, Massachusetts, a small town in the foothills of the Berkshires, is celebrating the beginning of spring with a Festival. March is the month that heralds the start of the sugaring season, as days warm and lengthen, and the first signs of spring become visible .You are invited to visit Chester Center to experience old time sugaring first hand and relive simpler times.

Come to the hills to cure your cabin fever and spend a day in the country, on Saturday, March 21, 2015, as the Chester Hill Association sponsors its 30th Annual Maple Fest, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., on the Skyline Trail in old Chester Center.

Begin your day with a traditional Country Breakfast consisting of pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, juice, coffee and featuring local maple syrup. Breakfast will be served continuously from 9:00 A.M. ‘til noon at the First Congregational Church. The cost for adults is $8.00 and $5.00 for children under 10. After breakfast, visit local artisans and craftspeople, at the old schoolhouse across the road.

Begin the afternoon listening to the sound of the Pioneer Valley Fiddlers, scheduled to play at the church at noon. Enjoy farm animals, check out a working fire truck and marvel at furniture made from tree branches. All day long, wagons pulled by tractors will carry guests back and forth to High Meadows Sugar House to observe the production of maple syrup. This year we will again offer wagon rides powered by a team of draft horses. In addition, the children will be able to ride through the snowy fields on sleds pulled by snowmobiles.

Latecomers to the Maple Fest may purchase coffee, soft drinks, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and the famous Chester Chili from the food cart throughout the day. Also, be sure to purchase your raffle tickets- the prizes feature unique local products, gift certificates and a large basket of Chester Hill products.

The Chester Hill Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and traditions of the area, is the sponsor for this event. The Chester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, partially funds the Maple Fest.

The Gateway Regional Guidance Department invites area eighth grade students and their parents/guardians to an informative presentation on the transition from junior high school to Gateway Regional High School.

This event will be held on Thursday, February 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Students, parents and guardians will meet the high school guidance counselors, learn about the course scheduling process and graduation requirements, and discover high school clubs and activities. Current high school students will also serve on a Question and Answer panel, and will answer student and parent questions about the high school experience. Guided tours of the building will take place at the end of the presentation.

Students who are applying to area vocational schools are also encouraged to attend the information session, although students applying to a vocational school for the fall MUST have their application materials into the guidance office by March 2nd in order to be eligible..

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP for the February 26th event by calling the high school guidance office at (413) 685-1107 or emailing jiglesias@grsd.org.

6th Grade Openings!
The Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School, now located in Easthampton, is expanding its 6th grade class and has a number of openings in that grade this year in addition to the usual Kindergarten spaces.
The lottery is February 5, so applications need to be turned in by Feb. 4. You can find them and more information about the school at: http://www.hilltowncharter.org .

Preschool/Toddler Music Group Update: This group has switched from Thursday to SUNDAY afternoons from 3:30PM-4:30PM with about 30-45min’s of lead music/movement activity & about 30-15min’s of free play. Starts 1/18

This is a parent/child group meaning that parents actively participate in singing/moving activities with the child they bring. Free play happens for a short time afterwards but not during the guided music time. It works best with children at least 2 years old up to 5 years but other ages are welcome with parent adaptations. 5 Sundays starting 1/18 at 215 Richview Ave, North Adams in the downstairs studio room. 3 children will make this happen. Please spread the word………Hope you can make it!

Pre-Registration required please by 1/16 so that we know if the group will run & planning can happen. Email Jill to pre-register & for more info or go to the website link.

Monica Moran said,

Do you know where to get help if you or someone you know is being hurt by a partner? 74% of hilltowners do!! Help us raise that to 100%! Tell your friends and family members about these confidential resources in the hilltowns:

Parents of students living in the Gateway Regional School District are advised that applications are now available for students interested in applying to Smith Vocational or Westfield Vocational High Schools for the 2015-16 school year. Applications are available in the Jr. High School Guidance Office for 8th student. Current high school students who wish to apply for a vocational school next year may contact the high school guidance office (413) 685-1107.

PARENTS: Are you looking for something constructive for your kids to do?

KIDS: Bored? Want someone to hang out with and have fun?

The Youth Mentoring Program of CCB is looking to match school-age children with a mature, caring adult to spend time at a community organization once a week. For more information please contact Diane Morris at dmorris@ccberkshire.org or 413-663-6593 ext. 39. You can also download an application at http://www.ccberkshire.org. We hope to hear from you soon!

Your participation and input on these programs is greatly appreciated! If you cannot make the hearing, but would like to provide input, please contact Bea by Friday January 9th at 413-296-4536, ext. 115 or beavh@hilltowncdc.org

The Gateway Family Center in Huntington, MA, receives many requests during the holidays for socks, sized from infant through adult. That’s why Meghan Crane and Grace LeBarron, 8th are heading up a sock drive for the Gateway Family Center. From now through January 12, new socks may be donated at collection boxes throughout the Gateway hilltowns. All donated socks will be distributed through the Gateway Family Center.

Donations boxes are located at Gateway Regional High School, Littleville Elementary School, Chester Elementary School, and Porter Memorial Library in Blandford. If you have any questions, please email hilltownsockdrive@gmail.com.

AUDITIONS FOR FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Dec 7 at 3:30pm and Dec 10 at 7pm – Open auditions for anyone age 9 and older. Males, ages 14 – 35 who can learn to dance, are especially encouraged to audition! Please prepare a song that is NOT from Fiddler! An accompanist will be provided. Bring sheet music and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Auditions, rehearsals, and performances will be at Sinai Temple, 1100 Dickinson St., Springfield, MA

Performance dates are March 26-29, 2015. For more information contact Sheri Levson 413-736-3619 or levsong@verizon.net

The Northern Berkshire Neighbors program of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is seeking community-minded individuals to take part in a free Community Outreach and Civic Engagement training program. Ideal participants must be committed to making positive change in the Northern Berkshires and learning how to assist residents in accessing available services.

The training will take place over a 6-month period and meet every Thursday from 5:30pm to 8pm beginning February 19, 2015. As part of the training, participants will learn of the many health and human service providers and community organizations in the northern Berkshire region. In addition, participants will engage in workshops and training on topics such as different styles of leadership, accessing local government, public speaking, community organizing, conflict management, how to create a neighborhood association and other related topics. In addition to the training, participants will be broken into groups to complete a community project of their choosing, aimed at meeting and/or addressing a community need.

A letter of interest is required to register for the training. Please send a letter of interest and your full contact information to 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams, MA 01247 or email jsweeney@nbccoalition.org no later than January 20, 2015. For more information, call Jess or Annie at 413-663-7588.

BARD COLLEGE AT SIMON’S ROCK TO OPEN TWO-YEAR COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL IN THE FALL OF 2015

GREAT BARRINGTON, MASS., November 3, 2014—Nearly fifty years after becoming America’s first early college, Bard College at Simon’s Rock will establish the nation’s first ninth and tenth grade program that enables both boarding and day students to receive their associate of arts degree in just four years.

Bard Academy at Simon’s Rock, located in Great Barrington, Mass., will welcome its first ninth-grade class in the fall of 2015, according to Leon Botstein, president of Bard College. Upon completing the tenth grade, Academy students begin full-time college study at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, earning their AA after two years and, in the case of over half the college’s students, their bachelor of arts degree after two more.

In 1979, Bard joined with Simon’s Rock Early College, founded in Great Barrington in 1966 by pioneering educator Elizabeth Blodgett Hall for students who wanted to start college in their junior year of high school. Today, Bard College at Simon’s Rock enrolls 350 students. Most Simon’s Rock graduates proceed to earn graduate degrees at highly selective universities. Alumni include seven Fulbright Fellows, one Rhodes Scholar, a MacArthur Fellow and six alumni on the Forbes 30 under 30. The Princeton Review recently rated Simon’s Rock higher than Harvard, Yale or Princeton for academics.

Bard Academy at Simon’s Rock will be modeled in part after the Bard High School Early Colleges (BHSEC), alternative public schools in New York City, Newark, and Cleveland, where students complete both high school and the associate of arts degree in four years. In 2012-13, BHSEC Manhattan was ranked as one of highest performing public high schools in New York City, with an A grade, from the New York City Department of Education.

“Bard Academy at Simon’s Rock is a reflection of the tremendous success experienced by the BHSECs, which, in turn, owe their existence to the achievements of Simon’s Rock,” said President Botstein, who is also a professor of arts and humanities at Bard and music director of the American Symphony Orchestra. “The addition of the ninth and tenth grades completes Simon’s Rock’s standing as the senior and flagship protagonist of the early college movement.”

The dean of Bard Academy will be Ian Bickford, a Bard College at Simon’s Rock graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of California at Berkeley, a master’s degree at Stanford University, and his doctorate at the City University of New York.

Dr. Bickford, a former professor of English at Bard College at Simon’s Rock and BSHEC Queens, points out that the Academy will better prepare students to enter and thrive in college after just two years of high school. The Academy program will capitalize on the intellectual strengths of the College: seminar-style classes that offer authentic exchange among students; a curriculum that embraces clear writing as both a means to and a reflection of clear thinking; a commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry; and opportunities for sustained, independent research by students.

“The traditional high school structure can be drawn out and wasteful, with the last two years devoted to students preparing for standardized testing, filling out college applications, and taking courses merely to enhance their admission prospects,” he says. “We’re looking for students who want to take control of their education, who are intellectually ambitious and curious, who feel frustrated at being told to wait, students who would be better served interacting with teachers who are experts in their fields.”

While the new academy will share the college’s philosophy, faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities on a bucolic 275-acre campus, its students will reside in a separate dormitory with a dedicated residential staff and study their own liberal arts and sciences curriculum. Academy students will be assigned a faculty advisor, while students in the College will serve as role models and mentors, providing academic tutoring and advice.

Dr. Bickford notes that all members of the Academy and the College are taught by faculty who have earned the highest degrees in their fields. “Who better, after all, to help students prepare for college than their future college professors?” he notes.

Peter Laipson, Provost of Bard College at Simon’s Rock said in summation, “The new entry point to Simon’s Rock offered by the Academy enriches our longstanding mission to provide students the opportunity to begin college at a younger age in the company of intellectual and social peers. Elizabeth Blodgett Hall founded Simon’s Rock because she believed that the educational path most students followed was a waste of their time and talents. She realized that they were eager to do much more sophisticated work than was asked or expected of them, especially in the last two years of high school. She was right, and both Simon’s Rock and the institutions it has inspired and helped lead – the BHSECs – demonstrate convincingly that we have a better model. We take younger students seriously as thinkers and provide them opportunities to engage with challenging ideas and questions. In turn, they demonstrate a truly remarkable capacity for deep, rigorous, and independent thought.”

Prospective Academy students and parents are invited to visit the school’s Web page at simons-rock.edu/academy, call 1-800-235-7186 or email bardacademy@simons-rock.edu for more information or to schedule a visit. An information session and reception will be held at the campus on 84 Alford Road in Great Barrington, MA on November 10 from 4p.m.-6p.m. and is open to educators, community members and the general public. Attendees are asked to RSVP to bardacademy@simons-rock.edu.

My name is Rachel Jones and I am the Director of the Gateway to College Program at Springfield Technical Community College. This is a scholarship program for Springfield students, ages 16-20, who have dropped out of school or at-risk of not completing high school, but have a desire to get back on track and earn a diploma and go to college. What makes Gateway to College truly unique is that our students will not only have a chance to earn a high school diploma, but Gateway participants will also be earning college credits toward an associate’s degree or certificate here at STCC.

Gateway to College at STCC is an educational alternative for young motivated people who may not have had success in other learning environments. Gateway to College students, can expect to be challenged, just as any high school or college student would be. Our philosophy as a program and as a staff is that all students have the ability to achieve academic success and deserve the highest quality of education. We just ask that students are willing to focus and work hard.

Students selected to participate in the Gateway to College Scholarship program will have no out of pocket expenses for their tuition, fees, or books while participating in the program. In addition to academic and financial assistance, students will have an Academic Counselor dedicated to their success. The Academic Counselor guides students through the college experience as an advisor, instructor and a mentor. They will assist students with different facets of the college experience -everything from teaching students about careers and time management to providing referrals to community resources.

We encourage you to pass along this information and the attached brochure to any young person who may be a good fit for this terrific opportunity and please feel free to contact us for more
information at 413-755-4581, stop by our office on campus in building 16 (Garvey Hall) room 285 or http://www.stcc.edu/gatewaytocollege/

If you’d like for me to come to speak with potential students and/or your staff, please let me know. Also, we’d love if you were able to include our program information on your website as another resource for young people.

WILLIAMSBURG CULTURAL COUNCIL The Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS

The Williamsburg CC has set an October 15 postmark deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community. These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Williamsburg.

For specific guidelines and complete information on the Williamsburg Cultural Council, contact the Council at: BurgyCC@yahoo.com. Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at http://www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.asp. Application forms are also available at Meekins Library and the Town Clerk’s office.

The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens opens October 19, 2014 for new and returning bereaved families. All families with children ages 5-18 who have experienced the death of a close family member are invited to be a part of this support group free of charge.

Children meet in small groups participating in projects; games and activities meant to facilitate their grieving process and led by trained and supervised adult volunteers. Adult family members meet separately with other caregivers to talk about how to support their children, who may or may not outwardly show their grief.

The Garden will provide bereavement support at no cost to families with young children from throughout the Hampshire and Franklin counties All groups are held at the Hampshire Regional YMCA in Northampton on Sunday afternoons.

Lezlie Densmore said,

Every year, volunteers from La Leche League organize a Nursing Mothers’ Booth at the Big E in West Springfield, MA.The fair runs from Sept 12 – 28 this year. Typically 1600 people will use this space over the 17 day fair. We also hand out breastfeeding information sheets and contact info for Leaders in MA, RI, CT, and VT.
We need volunteers to help staff the booth. I’ve got some of the schedule filled in with last year’s volunteers, but we need more help. Please consider volunteering for a 4 hour shift. I have free tickets and parking passes for the volunteers and you’re welcome to explore the fair the rest of the day. If you have a small child and can only cover 2 hours, that’s fine as well.
All that’s required is to greet mothers, hand out LLL information, keep an eye on the booth. We want mothers and their families to feel welcome. If you know someone that might be interested, please give them my email address.

Parent-Child Home Program
Free Books! Free Toys! Fun Activities!
We can enhance the skills you already give your child.

Help your child get ready for school by reading and playing with them! The Parent-Child Home
Program can show you how, through half-hour home visits scheduled at your convenience. A trained home visitor can work with you and your child on skills to support their success in school. Best of all, you get to keep the high-quality books and toys they bring, completely free! Eligible children are between 16 and 36 months. Now enrolling for the new program year beginning in September!!
Space is limited; call Chiara at 413-664-4821.

Please help, Mrs. Cimini (me) get her classroom ready for school… Consider donating to We’ve Got the Right Stuff a DONORS CHOOSE Classroom Project!
I am 4th grade teacher at Craneville Elementary School in the Central Berkshire Regional School District who needs your help! To learn more about the details of this project, please read below or follow the provided project link: http://bit.ly/TzxC8w (you can also copy and paste the link into your web browser)… Thank you!
What is your fondest memory of school? My hopes and dreams are for ALL my students to remember wanting to come to school ready to learn each day, knowing that they were cared for, trusted, believed in, and greeted each day where they are socially, emotionally, academically, and physically.
My students take on the roles of a Reading and Writing Workshop Model, Responsive Classroom. They are the creators, drivers, and believers behind how our classroom looks like, feels like, and sounds like throughout our day, every day! They are the facilitators in their learning and I am their guide in their success and growth. A Growth mindset! I not only challenge myself, but also my students to stop thinking about each school subject, content area as segregated learning, instead we will be challenged to see how each subject is relevant to one another and to the real world. Our reading block is not just reading the way we remember it, instead it is a cross curricular LITERACY block, learning across the genres, including Social Studies/History, Science/Engineering, Mathematics, and English Language Arts. We are a blended classroom – traditional, digital; built and based on rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills!
Imagine taking the ultimate United States of America field trip. In our classroom students will do just this. The following is a description of variety of materials I am requesting and how students will use them in the classroom. It begins with book boxes that will be able to hold 60 nonfiction textbooks, picture books, National Geographic books, DK Eyewitness books on US states, national parks, national landmarks, symbols, and our democracy. Students will explore North America with the requested atlases, puzzles, games, activities, flashcards, coloring books, and more. Now imagine science without any experiments. Not in this room! I’ve requested science station kits where students will become weather and climate experts, build weather stations, listen to and record live meteorologist broadcasts on iPads with the new earbuds/mics I have added to our cart; science kits so students can build and understand electrical and magnetic circuits and generate light, sound, and heat energy.
In addition to content coverage, students will systematically acquire knowledge in literature and other disciplines through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will be college and career ready by focusing on complex texts outside of literature, this will also ensure students are being prepared to read, write, and research across the curriculum, including history and science. « hide
My students need a digital and print library, and resources for an integrated, multi-sensory E.L.A., Math, Social Studies/History and Science/Engineering Curriculum!

Get your motors running! And raise funds and awareness for Autism in Western Mass! Community Resources for People with Autism is benefiting from the American Legion Riders’ Ride For Autism. The motorcycle ride starts with Registration, coffee and donuts at the East Longmeadow Senior Center. Kickstands go up at 11:30 a.m. and the whole thing ends in Easthampton in Millside Park. Millside Park is behind the American Legion Hall on Pleasant Street and snuggled between the Manhan Rail Bike Path and Easthampton’s Lower Mill Pond, making it easy for families to get to walking, biking, by car, or even canoe!

Participating in the ride is $30 (including BBQ & Family Fun Day). Tickets are also available for the BBQ alone and are $15 for adults and $10 for kids (12 & under). The Family Fun Day with music, crafts, and bounce castle is free for everyone! The Ride for Autism’s Family Fun Day is a fun way to raise money and awareness for individuals with autism in western Mass Everyone is invited to join for music, barbeque, a bounce castle, raffle prizes from area businesses, and crafts!

All proceeds will go to Community Resources for People with Autism programming. Community Resources for People with Autism provides support, practical help, information, and advocacy to over 1,600 families in all four counties of western Massachusetts.

farmerbsm said,

Red Gate Farm is using Kickstarter to raise money for Buckland-Sheburne Elementary students to participate in a overnight school visit next spring. We are looking for pledges and help spreading the word! Check it out!

Eastern States Exposition’s Storrowton Village Museum is extending an invitation to individuals ages 14 and up to volunteer as costumed guides in our classic 1800s village during The Big E.

Volunteers are needed to act as hosts, conducting guided tours of the Village’s historic buildings and to work in the Village Gift Shop during this year’s Big E, Sept. 12 – 28, 2014. Training sessions for prospective volunteers begin Wednesday, August 20. To participate, volunteers must complete a Volunteer Interest Form and schedule an in-person interview with a Storrowton Village staff member. Selected volunteers must be available to attend all three training sessions which take place August 20, August 27, and September 3 at 1pm and 6pm.

Village volunteers dress in Early American-inspired apparel to give fairgoers a glimpse of New England’s past. Interpreting the roles of 19th century New Englanders, volunteers will gain a wealth of knowledge about crafts, food and daily life of the era while participating in the excitement of The Big E.

Costumes, parking and admission for volunteers on-duty will be provided by The Big E as well as a 25 percent discount on items purchased at the gift shops operated by Storrowton Village. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to attend the staff field trip, picnic and the annual Big E staff party.

Volunteering at Storrowton Village is a rewarding experience. Past volunteers have said that the interaction with the public and other Village volunteers and the friendships they make is the most memorable part of their commitment to the Village.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Storrowton Village Museum before August 15, 2014 at 413-205-5051, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Become a Parent Aide! For over 31 years, the PAVE program has been providing home-based support to Hampshire Cty. parents who are stressed & often isolated from a supportive community. The program’s goal is to strengthen & empower parents by giving them new tools to help them in their parenting journey. Compassion, common sense & the ability to listen to a parent are required. Berkshire Children & Families will provide the training & supervision. Volunteer 3-5 hours per week. Sept. training now forming. No commitment required until after you have completed the training. For more information, call Lydia at Berkshire Children & Families 413-584-5690 Ext. 144 or email lvernon-jones@bcfcma.org.

The Massachusetts Senate on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, unanimously passed a bill to expand treatment and support for individuals with autism or a developmental disability across the Commonwealth, State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) announced.

The bill creates a 35-member commission on autism within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to make recommendations about how to improve the services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and to monitor the implementation of policies impacting individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

It requires MassHealth to cover medically necessary treatments for individuals who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, including services for applied behavior analysis.

The bill expands the types of services that are available through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to an individual with a developmental disability, as well as requires DDS and the Department of Mental Health to collaborate to ensure that the needs of individuals with both a developmental disability and a mental illness are met.

Additionally, the bill requires programs that provide residential or day care services and treatment for persons with a developmental disability to obtain a license from DDS. It also requires DDS to provide transportation for education, day care or treatment as part of the department’s community developmental disability services.

To help support a successful learning environment, the bill requires administrators and teachers to have training in strategies for effective inclusive schooling for children with autism. Additionally, the bill creates an endorsement in autism through the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for licensed special education teachers who complete the necessary coursework and field experiences in order to address the specific educational needs of students with autism. It also authorizes the Board to issue an autism endorsement to current special education teachers who work with students with autism and effectively demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competencies to fulfill this authorization.

The Senate and House of Representatives will now form a conference committee to produce a compromise bill for final passage and consideration of the Governor.

The Edwin Smith Historical Museum is a treasure trove of Westfield history dating back to Westfield ‘s colonial settlement in the 1600s. Opened in 1927 and named in honor of Edwin Smith, the co-founder of the H.B. Smith Company.

Some of the Westfield History Museum treasures include:

Original documents from General George Washington and John Hancock
The 1634 Pulpit Bible used by Reverend Edward Taylor, First Pastor of the Church of Westfield
Westfield maps
Historical toys
Portraits
Buggy whips made in Westfield

“Please oppose any attempt to pass S. 2183 or any amendment to the Senate’s economic development bill that would strip cities and towns of the ability to regulate wireless antennas. The Legislature should wait until the FCC makes its final ruling on national standards.”

The Hilltown Community Health Centers’ Family Support program and the Prison Birth Project (Amherst, MA) were the recipients of a generous gift from Network Health of sixty breastpumps. Magaly Colon, Senior Community Relations Representative for Network Health, personally delivered the breastpumps to the Gateway Family Center on Tuesday, June 24th. Hilltown Community Health Centers’ Family Support Director Kim Savery and Prison Birth Project Leadership Circle member Eli Stark (also of the Hilltown Community Health Centers Chesterfield office) gratefully received them. These breastpumps are for families in the hilltowns as well as incarcerated and formerly incarcerated mothers.

Hilltown Community Health Centers’ Family Support Program offers free services to new and expectant mothers, including Childbirth Education, The Happiest Baby on the Block classes, Brazleton Newborn Behavioral Observations, Home Visiting and Support, Ages and Stages Developmental Questionnaires, Parent and Family Education and support groups. In addition, the Gateway Family Center offers Parent Child Playgroups, School Readiness, Family and Community Education and social supports. For more information, please contact Kim Savery at 667-2203 or ksavery@hchcweb.org.

The Prison Birth Project (PBP) is an organization that works within a reproductive justice framework to provide support, education, advocacy, and leadership training with people at the intersection of the criminal justice system and motherhood. PBP’s programs include The Doula Project, which provides Doula care to women who are incarcerated at Western Mass Regional Women’s Correctional Center, and Mothers Among Us, a support group that explores the effects of oppression in women’s lives and more. PBP is grateful for the breastpumps which will be given to breastfeeding moms on the inside as well as our members who have come home. For more information visit theprisonbirthproject.org.

The Communities That Care Coalition (CTC) will present at the White House next week at a one-day summit on prevention in education. The summit, on Tuesday June 10th, is being co-hosted by the Federal Department of Education and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and brings together approximately 30 of the top policy-makers in education and in youth substance abuse prevention.

The day’s agenda begins with several top policy-makers providing opening remarks, then several prominent researchers will make the case for the importance of prioritizing prevention in education. Next, Kat Allen (FRCOG Partnership for Youth Co-Coordinator and Co-Chair of the Coalition since 2004) will represent the Coalition in a panel of four “successful programs”. The other successful programs are a recovery high school, a school-linked juvenile justice reform program, and a school implementing Brief Screening and Intervention (SBIRT). The rest of the day is dedicated to question and answer with the panelists and open discussion among the group as to how to best integrate prevention into education. The summit organizers have said that they expect this summit will catalyze the prevention platform for the country for the coming years.

The Communities That Care Coalition is a collaborative of dozens of Franklin County and North Quabbin agencies (including schools, human-service agencies, law enforcement, town government, businesses, faith-based-organizations, the hospital, and more) that works to reduce youth substance use and promote positive youth development. In 2003 the Coalition set out to decrease the following four measures by 10% by 2009: (1) alcohol use in the past 30 days among 8th graders, (2) marijuana use in the past 30 days among 8th graders, (3) tobacco use in the past 30 days among 8th graders, and (4) binge drinking in the past 2 weeks among 12th graders. These goals were surpassed within the first 3 years of work – largely due to the integration of evidence-based prevention education into schools – and 2013 teen health survey data show that over the course of the decade of the coalition’s work these measures decreased 47%, 48%, 43%, and 46% respectively. These outcomes have caught the attention of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and most recently the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which led to the White House invitation.

According to Allen, despite these successes, the coalition recognizes that there is still much work to be done in youth substance abuse prevention in the area, as the current opioid crisis demonstrates: “I am hopeful that next week’s presentation will not only provide the opportunity to give input on national policy, but will also help bring attention and resources to all of the important and effective substance abuse prevention work that is being done in our region and beyond”.

Today, State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) and State Representative Stephen Kulik (D- Worthington) presented the new, official Plainfield town flag to the Superintendent of the Bureau of the State House, Tammy Kraus at a ceremony in the Great Hall of Flags in the Massachusetts State House.

Once properly cataloged by the Bureau, Plainfield’s flag will be added to the impressive array of municipal flags in the Great Hall of Flags to be admired by all State House visitors.

The Great Hall of Flags serves as the largest function room in the Massachusetts State House. Two decades ago the Bureau began collecting flags from the 351 Commonwealth communities to display them throughout the Great Hall, thereby improving the acoustics of the room. Officials are seeking to complete the collection this year, in time for the 20th anniversary of the program.

Since 2009 Downing and Kulik have periodically written to Boards of Selectmen in the communities not currently represented in the Great Hall, inviting them to submit a flag. Prior to today Downing has proudly sponsored flag presentation ceremonies for Egremont, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, Otis, Pittsfield, Stockbridge, Tyringham and Worthington.

The adoption of Plainfield’s new flag was driven by the late Jim Pilgrim. In February 2011 he learned Downing was sponsoring a flag design contest with the City of Pittsfield and contacted the Senator to inquire whether Plainfield had a flag. Upon learning his community was not represented in the Great Hall Mr. Pilgrim requested that the Select Board hold a contest to design a town flag.

Following his request, the Select Board announced a flag design contest, during which several designs were submitted by Plainfield residents. After much deliberation a winning design submitted by Alfred (Jim) Feeley was chosen by the Select Board. The colors and patterns used by Mr. Feeley in his flag design represent Plainfield’s beautiful landscape and history in agriculture:

Background of green hills: symbolize that Plainfield is one of the “hilltowns” of western Massachusetts;
Blue wavy lines: symbolic of Plainfield’s many rivers and streams;
Blue sky with wavy white lines: symbolic of Plainfield’s open rural skies;
Ring of grain: symbolize Plainfield’s agricultural zoning and open fields for produce; and
Rooster: An exact copy of the original weathervane on top of the original town hall, also symbolic of the “Right to Farm”.

Paula King, Plainfield’s Administrative Secretary notes that a wooden cut-out of this rooster is currently on display by the Plainfield Historical Society at the Shaw-Hudson House.

There are ten remaining towns in Downing’s Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden district without a flag in the Great Hall: Alford, Hawley, Middlefield, New Ashford, Savoy, Westhampton, West Stockbridge, Williamsburg, Williamstown and Windsor. Additionally, Kulik’s 1st Franklin district is missing flags from Montague and Whately. In total, there are 25 missing town flags from communities statewide that if presented, would complete the Great Hall’s collection.

Downing and Kulik are together renewing their call to these twelve communities to submit a flag to State House officials.

Susan Greendyke Lachevre, Art Collections Manager for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Art Commission advises that flags prepared for display in the Great Hall should meet the following specifications:

Flags should measure 4 x 6’ and have a 3” pole sleeve (not grommets) at the hoist end of the flag for threading onto a 1” diameter pole;
Nylon or cotton muslin flags are preferred, although flags may be constructed of any strong material, either single or double faced;
Flags may be handmade or commercially produced, and printed or decorated in any stable, permanent fashion;
Images may be one-sided, but two-sided decoration is encouraged; and
Fringe is optional.

Residents or officials seeking information on creating a flag are encouraged to contact Downing’s or Kulik’s State House office.

Jill Wheat said,

CALL FOR SINGERS: Anyone want to do a little singing in the northern Berkshires? Adults of all ages & kids grade 4 or over who will concentrate on learning music are welcome. All voice parts needed! Charles Marshall of All Saint’s Church is accompanying with Jill Wheat directing/singing. Dates: 6/22, 6/29 & 7/6 from 2-4, dress rehearsal Wed 7/9 at 7PM & performance Friday 7/11 at 7:30PM. Rehearsals at 215 Richview Ave., North Adams. Singers contribute $15 to help pay for sheet music. Potential music includes: For the Beauty of the Earth, Draw the Circle Wide, Blue Waters of the North, Out on the Mira, The Ash Grove, Ride the Chariot & 2 more TBA. The concert will be free. Donations will be collected toward production costs & to be donated to local charities. Email Jill Wheat to join in the music making at songsailormusic@yahoo.com

The Child Learning and Development (CLAD) Lab at Amherst College seeks volunteers to participate in a study about how children learn from others. We are looking for children ages 0-7. Parental consent will be obtained, and the one-time visit will take no more than 30 minutes. Our lab is open Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm, but we can also try to accommodate weekend or evening times. If you are interested or would like more information, please call our lab at (413) 542-5670 or email us at cladlab@amherst.edu. You can also find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cladlab! We look forward to hearing from you!

The seminar is open to anyone wanting to learn more about the home buying process to avoid pitfalls, save time and money. The presenters will include Loan Specialists from Holyoke Credit Union, Attorney Sam Bilotti of Murphy McCoubrey of Chicopee and Realtors from First Choice Real Estate.

The seminar is intended to help inform and educate new homebuyers (or homeowners who are looking to sell and buy who want to know of lending guideline changes). Topics will include advice on buying a home, how to pre-qualify and the various steps through the mortgage application process, equity of home ownership and the benefits of owning vs. renting.

All sponsors are offering special incentives to seminar participants attending if purchasing in 2014. Door prize, give-aways and light refreshments will be available. For more information about the seminar or to register contact Bobbi-Jo Girroir, Realtor at 413-519-5636 or Christine Chouinard, Realtor at 413-363-8333.

Barbara Goodchild said,

Shelburne Falls Farmers Market will be starting May 23rd and continuing on each Friday until October 24th on Friday afternoons, from 2 – 6:30pm, at the Baptist Corner Lot, at the corner of Main and Water Streets in Shelburne Falls. The Shelburne Falls Farmers Market features fresh produce, local meat, maple syrup, pickles, jams, jellies, marmalades, jewelry, wood crafts, seated body work, herbal products, mushrooms, fresh baked goods, wool, wool products, hand woven items, strawberries, fresh eggs, plant starts, flowers, soap, silk screened clothing, children’s activities, and more. It is a beautiful place to get your local products, visit with neighbors, let the kids play, relax on the green, and meet new friends.
New this year, the market is hosting “3rd Friday Picnics” during market hours. People are asked to bring a picnic dish to share & a chair. Vendors will have fresh salad fixings for sale with free salad dressings offered by the market.
The Market is looking for a new market manager, musicians to play, and vendors selling cheese, ready-to-eat foods or drinks, and honey. If you can offer any of these please contact Chris Dwight, Shelburne Falls Market Manager 413-773-5666.

“She asked me last summer, ‘How would you like to go to Cuba?” Cintrón recalled. “My reply was when do I go?”

Cintrón, a Spanish teacher and native of Puerto Rico, was approached by Andrea Panaritis about a potential trip to the island nation. Panaritis is the executive director of the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, an agency aimed at strengthening U.S.-Cuba relations.

“I think that what the average American thinks about Cuba is probably still related frankly to the Cuban Revolution, maybe Fidel [Castro], cigars, and some bygone era of casinos and bars,” said Panaritis.

Panaritis says the U.S. trade and visiting embargo on its neighbor 90 miles to the south restricts American access to things like vaccines created in Cuba used around the globe, not to mention the cultural and economic opportunities developing there after decades of communism.

“Some folks say that the embargo on Cuba is bad for Cubans, it’s also on some levels bad for us,” said Panaritis.

Panaritis’ son Kosta Koufis was one of the students on the trip. The junior says he wanted to learn more about Cuba’s changing political scene.

“It’s a country in a changing state,” Koufis said. “I wanted to go because I thought it would be interesting to see how the people are reacting and using socialism and capitalism to live their lives.”

Traveling across the island’s northwestern and southwestern provinces, the group visited historical places like the site of the infamous U.S.-led Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961. Koufis says what he learned is quite different than what he’s read in U.S. history books.

“They have a lot of anti-American propaganda at the Bay of Pigs so it’s definitely a drastic change from what is taught here,” said Koufis.

Cintrón says it was important for her students to learn both sides of the story.

“I wanted my students to hear that side of the encounter of the Bay of Pigs,” Cintrón said. “I happened to be alive when it happened and I remember that very well. So for me personally it was a great experience to see their side of the story.”

The trip was allowed as part of a person-to-person educational exchange. The group stayed with Cuban families while visiting an orphanage, creating art with people with Down’s syndrome and working with peers on community projects. Sophomore Annabelle O’Neill says she wanted a chance to do what most in the U.S. can’t.

“They are just like us,” O’Neill said. “They are just trying to find where they want to go in life.”

Koufis says interacting with people his age made the trip that much more enjoyable, especially over a game of baseball.

“I don’t know, I felt like I kept up with them, but on a whole they definitely kicked our butts,” said Koufis.

“If we want to make the world more peaceful and just, one of the ways we can do that is through cultural exchange and getting to know people in different parts of the world separate from political and economic differences,” said Sagarin.

As for picking up any slang Spanish words or strengthening their skills with the foreign language…O’Neill explains.

Notice of Public Hearing
The Chesterfield Selectboard will hold a public hearing regarding the implementation of the CDBG FY13 Program administered by the Hilltown CDC. The hearing will take place Tuesday May 20, at 5:00 in the Select Board room in the Town Office Building, 422 Main Rd, Chesterfield. Building is accessible to persons with disabilities.

A review of the following programs will be conducted: Housing Rehabilitation, Hilltown Elder Network, Health Outreach Program for Elders, Families Together, Childcare Subsidy and Hilltown Food Pantry.

Anyone interested in sharing ideas or comments regarding these programs is welcome and encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend but would still like to provide feedback, please send an email to beavh@hilltowncdc.org or mail your comments to Hilltown CDC, PO Box 17, Chesterfield, MA 01012

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE HILLTOWNS: Hilltown Safety at Home (HS@H) provides a part-time domestic violence Advocate to hilltown residents who call 413-559-8039. The Advocate can help with safety planning, with understanding people who abuse, with understanding the court system, with transportation to court if needed, and with accessing critical support services. The Advocate can work with people on the phone or in person, and can also help friends and family members who are trying to support a loved one who is being abused. If you need help in an emergency, call 911 or the Safe Passage hotline at 1-888-345-5282.

The Holyoke Winter Carnival is seeking individual artists and art-related organizations from across the Pioneer Valley and Western Mass. interested in creating hand-made illuminated lanterns to show in its first La Noche de San Juan Lantern Parade on Saturday June 21, 2014.

The summer solstice celebration will take place at Holyoke Heritage State Park beginning at dusk. The procession will begin at the Merry-Go-Round and follow paths around the Canal and into the Park. All are invited to be a part of this collaborative community project, whether you are an experienced artisan or just someone who would like to learn how to make lanterns and is willing to devote Community groups and families will be encouraged to make lanterns at home and bring them to the parade or they can attend planned lantern making workshops leading up to the event.

Artists interested in making more elaborate 3-D lanterns or other sculptural figures are encouraged to participate. This is a first time event for Holyoke and we want it to be silly, festive, whimsical, and delightful for all. The La Noche de San Juan Lantern Parade is free and open to residents of all communities. Artists deadline for expressing interest in participating is Saturday.

From Anny Jean-Jacques Domercant, Director Governor’s Office of Community Affairs:

Governor Deval Patrick has prioritized ending youth violence in our communities, and as part of a multi-facet strategy created the Governor’s Statewide Youth Council to incorporate youth voices into the policy-making process. The Youth Council serves as a critical resource in advising the Governor in making decisions and setting policy to improve the lives of young people throughout the Commonwealth.

The Governor’s Office will be selecting 28 new Youth Council members to represent Massachusetts’ 14 counties, two Council members per county. Members serve for 2 years. We are now aggressively seeking to contact and recruit potential candidates throughout the state to apply for membership in the Youth Council.

Youth Council applicants should be passionate, motivated and emerging leaders between the ages of 14 and 20. Their responsibilities will include: attending bimonthly meetings and conference calls, advocating for youth issues and incorporating the ideas of other youth and young adults into the creation of effective policy.

The Youth Council has advocated on various issues in the Patrick Administration; including the historic anti-bullying legislation that Governor Patrick signed in May 2010. To learn more about activities, initiatives and trainings that the Youth Council has participated in please visit http://www.mass.gov/governor/youthcouncil or contact Anny Jean-Jacques Domercant at the Governor’s Office of Community Affairs (617-725-4020).

Please forward this along with the attached application and flyer, to your network including any interested youth. Please note that the application deadline is May 29, 2014. Thank you for your support and attention to this matter!

I am sixty-three year old female and in all those years I’ve only had
two absolutely honest mechanics I trusted completely, that is, until
today.

I was given an estimate of $1,200 by a dealership to fix my car. I
was told that the repairs were so serious they needed to be done
immediately. I took my car to the Worthington Garage, Tim, Owner, 58
Huntington Rd., Worthington, MA (413) 238-5967. He put my car on the
lift and explained in detail each of the “needed” repairs and assured
me there were some problems that would be needing fixing in the future
but even then, certain parts did not need to be completely replaced
and could be fixed for much less money. He refused to take anything
for his inspection.

I want to publicly commend Tim for his honesty and integrity, which is
in such scarcity today. He could have agreed with what the dealer told
me but instead, chose to be upfront about what was truly warranted.

After meeting Tim, the third most absolutely honest mechanic ever in
my life, I’m going to make sure to keep up my AAA Plus membership as,
if my car needs repairs it will be towed from Easthampton (where I
live) to Tim’s Worthington Garage. I also plan to tell everyone I know
about him.

RH Conwell Community Education Center Launches Campaign
to Keep Community School Open for 2014-2015 School Year

Worthington, MA, March 26, 2014: The R.H. Conwell Community Education Center (RHCCEC), a private school that serves the families of the Hilltowns, has launched a fundraising campaign to raise $300,000 so that it can remain open for another year. The school, which was opened in 2010 in response to the closing the town’s public school and which accepts all children regardless of ability to pay, has been supported by private donations for the last four school years. Since there is pending legislation that will, if passed by the Massachusetts Senate, enable the town to reopen a public school in 2015, RHCCEC only needs to operate for one more year. The community is being asked to support the school to ensure that its children will not be displaced for the coming school year, and can seamlessly transition from the private school to the public one.

The R.H. Conwell public school was a public school until 2010, when it was closed by the Gateway Regional School District. Parents, friends and community members came together who had organized before the closing to find an alternative to closure (including fundraising and a charter school application), banded together to re-open Conwell as a private school, funded almost exclusively by donations. It has received no federal, state, or town funding and charges a very minimal tuition. No child is ever turned away because of an inability to pay. Unfortunately, its largest benefactors find themselves unable to sustain the level of commitment, and the school must turn to the larger community for support.

In addition to opening a private school, Worthington’s community has, against all odds and with exceptionally broad support among residents, pursued withdrawal from Gateway Regional School District. The decision to close the elementary school was against all the community’s input and support. In order to withdraw, a home rule petition was filed by town legislators as a result of an overwhelmingly supportive vote at the Annual Town Meeting. The bill, H3574, has passed the House of Representatives, and the town is now waiting for the Senate to pass the bill. Once the bill passes, Worthington can withdraw from Gateway, and open RH Conwell as a public school again in September 2015, this time under town control. Worthington will then enter into a contract with Hampshire Regional School District to ensure the education of students grades 7-12, and for superintendency and other administrative services.

In order to provide an education in the community in the interim, RHCCEC must raise enough money to be able to open its doors again this fall. Parents, teachers, and community members are working together to raise money, and are taking donations of all sizes. Donations can be sent directly to the school, made through the schools website at http://www.rhccec.org, or donors can visit the campaign’s website at http://igg.me/at/RHConwell/x/6488179.

RHCCEC’s goal is to secure the majority of the funds before the end of May, so that it can assure school staff and parents that the school will remain open for its final year.

MotherWoman writes: Calling all moms and dads! Do you have a story to tell about how the lack of supportive family policies (such as maternity/paternity leave (paid or unpaid), lack of paid sick time, etc… has affected your experience of motherhood/parenthood? MotherWoman would love to interview you for an upcoming video.

We are looking for 5-8 stories from families from diverse backgrounds. At the video shoot, the amazing and well sought after family photographer (Sarah Prall Photography) will take a beautiful portrait of you with your child for our video, and you will receive this portrait as an invaluable gift and a ‘thank you’ from us!

The video/photo shoot is scheduled for March 29/30 in Belchertown, MA (you must be able to travel to location). To express your interest about this opportunity, email nadya@motherwoman.org.

The newly revitalized Easthampton Prevention Coalition (name to change too) is meeting on the fourth Thurs. of the month. Come March 27 from 4-5:30 pm at 50 Payson Ave, 2nd Floor. Anyone interested in promoting healthy behaviors among Easthampton youth and preventing underage drinking and drug use is welcome to attend! We focus on community level change and have representation from all sectors of Easthampton. Any questions or to find out more, contact Coalition Coordinator Ruth Ever at (413) 207-5725 or email at rever@epsd.us or check our website: http://www.epsd.us/epc/epc.html

Barbara Goodchild said,

The 3rd “Music Fills the Pantry Variety Show”, featuring local talent will be held Sat. Apr. 5, 2014 (snow date Sun. Apr. 6), from 5 to 8 pm at Fellowship Hall, Little Mohawk Rd, Shelburne, MA. If you or your child would like to perform, we are looking for more, 1 – 10 minute acts. Sing, dance, stories, jokes, skits, etc are all welcome for this family friendly event. Performers choose the hour they would like to perform in (so you don’t have to stay the whole time). The Variety Show benefits the Hilltown Churches Food Pantry in Ashfield and the Good Neighbors Food Pantry in Charlemont. For more info. or to request a signup form, please contact: Barbara Goodchild – ebgoodchild@hughes.net

Did you know that financial fraud is the fastest growing form of elder abuse? One in every five Americans age 65 or older has been abused financially. To learn more, please make plans to join JFS Elder Care Program at a workshop about Preventing Financial Fraud on Tuesday, March 18, 10-11:30am in Jewish Family Service’s Community Room, 1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA. Tim Roberts, Assistant Vice President for Financial Crimes and Fraud Management at TD Bank will cover key topics that include: what is elder fraud; common types of scams; identity theft; ways to protect yourself.

This program is free and open to the public. It is specifically designed to help older adults, their families and/or caregivers learn about financial exploitation and how to better protect themselves and their loved one from being victims of fraud. After this workshop, you will be better informed able to recognize and avoid a scam. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited: 413-737-2601; info@jfswm.org.

SHARE YOUR HEART AND HOME!
HOST FAMILIES are needed for international exchange students for the
2014/2015 academic year. The students will arrive in early August and will
stay with the host family until the end of the high school year. They are in need of caring families (with or without children) to provide a home and share with them this unique experience. The host family will provide a bed, meals, as well as friendship, understanding, and a genuine desire to share the American way of life with a youngster from overseas. The students speak English, are covered by medical insurance and have spending money for their personal expenses. The SHARE! High School Exchange Program is sponsored by Educational Resource Development Trust, a global educational non-profit foundation. For more information, please contact Heather Baylis at baylisfarm@gmail.com or 413 623 0136.http://www.erdtshare.org/

Zonta Club of Northampton Area﻿ has put together a free film series, “Are Your Kids Sext Up?” This series will build awareness and open up community discussions about the very real challenges girls and young women face locally. Included topics will be teen dating violence; rape culture on college campuses; the commonplace teen culture of taking naked photos and sending them out into the world via text, Facebook, SnapChat, or email; and the sexualization and marginalization of young girls and women in video games, music videos, movies, and other media. Parents and educators will walk away with a better understanding of the daily struggles kids face and empowered with ideas for discussing and tackling these important issues.

Screenings take place Feb 26, Mar 26 & Apr 30 at the Unitarian Society Social Room (220 Main St., Northampton) from 6-7:30pm.

My name is Rachel Jones and I am the Director of the Gateway to College Program at Springfield Technical Community College. This is a scholarship program for Springfield students, ages 16-20, who have dropped out of school or at-risk of not completing high school, but have a desire to get back on track and earn a diploma and go to college. What makes Gateway to College truly unique is that our students will not only have a chance to earn a high school diploma, but Gateway participants will also be earning college credits toward an associate’s degree or certificate here at STCC.

Gateway to College at STCC is an educational alternative for young motivated people who may not have had success in other learning environments. Gateway to College students, can expect to be challenged, just as any high school or college student would be. Our philosophy as a program and as a staff is that all students have the ability to achieve academic success and deserve the highest quality of education. We just ask that students are willing to focus and work hard.

Students selected to participate in the Gateway to College Scholarship program will have no out of pocket expenses for their tuition, fees, or books while participating in the program. In addition to academic and financial assistance, students will have an Academic Counselor dedicated to their success. The Academic Counselor guides students through the college experience as an advisor, instructor and a mentor. They will assist students with different facets of the college experience -everything from teaching students about careers and time management to providing referrals to community resources.

We encourage you to pass along this information and the attached brochure to any young person who may be a good fit for this terrific opportunity and please feel free to contact us for more
information at 413-755-4581, stop by our office on campus in building 16 (Garvey Hall) room 285 or http://www.stcc.edu/gatewaytocollege/

If you’d like for me to come to speak with potential students, please let me know. Also, we’d love if you were able to include our program information on your website as another resource for young people.

The eighth annual 411 in the 413, the only youth-led conference in the county, will take place on Wednesday April 16th, 2014. The mission of the “411 in the 413” Conference is to empower youth to take initiative in their lives and in the future. The event has been coordinated by a group of youth and their supervisors from the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Railroad Street Youth Project of Great Barrington, and Pittsfield Prevention Partnership.

This year’s theme is #GetConnected. The day will provide participants an opportunity to discover new things about themselves, others, new activities, and the outdoors. The conference takes place at the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in Becket, MA and offers youth a chance to share their ideas and make their voices heard!

In preparation for the event, we are seeking creative, dynamic speakers and interactive workshop facilitators. The focus of this year’s conference is to make connections with other teens, with new interests, and with nature. For more info, contact Stephanie Bosley at (413) 663-7588 or sbosley@nbccoaliton.org. To submit a proposal online, visithttp://bit.ly/411inthe413 or http://nbccoalition.org/forms for hard copy.

Thanks to the generosity of the Hilltown 6 potters, and of the camper parents and supporters who attended our Flavors of Nonotuck fundraiser last July at the Lone Wolf Cafe in Amherst, we are able this year to offer 10 scholarships, which fully cover the $300.00 camp tuition.

Community Music School of Springfield is excited to launch our “Sonido Musica” program. This is a new Latin instrumental outreach program made possible by a generous grant from MassMutual. But we need your help, too! We’re looking for violins, violas and cellos in good condition for our middle school participants. CMSS is a 501(C)3 and
all donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated! Visit us at http://www.CommunityMusicSchool.com or on Facebook. Thank you!

I am honored and thrilled to offer a local woman a full day of pampering through my business Style by Zoey in collaboration with Ode boutique of Northampton, Changes hair salon and Dani fine photography. Hurry and nominate yourself or a friend. Two weeks left to snag these amazing prices. Follow the link to apply:

Please sign this petition to support Berkshire Trail Elementary School, which serves Cummington and Windsor. Some of you may have heard about the ongoing tension between Berkshire Trail and certain members of the regional school committee, who are seeking further cuts to the school. The sixth grade has already been cut, and several administrative and teaching positions have been reduced. Meanwhile, last school year, the school partnered with Expeditionary Learning Schools and began an innovative, comprehensive program that I believe is taking the school in the right direction.

For anyone interested in helping support the school in other ways, letters to the School Committee are helpful, and here is schedule of upcoming meetings (parental/community support at these meetings is important):

Voting on the budget takes place at the School Committee Meetings. They are scheduled for:
Thursday, Feb 13 at 7:00 at Berkshire Trail (tentative budget adoption)
Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7:00 at Nessacus (public hearing on budget)
Thursday, March 13 at 7:00 at Nessacus (budget adoption)

The Hilltown Village﻿ is actively seeking families to serve. They have several volunteers waiting to be matched with families with newborns. Let your friends and neighbors living in the Western halves of Franklin and Hampshire county know about this grassroots, FREE postpartum support program: they provide: Home Visits; Resource Kits; Food calendars; Mothers’ groups; access to the Village Closet (free hand-me-down maternity, baby and little kid clothes and gear). Learn more at http://www.hilltownvillage.wordpress.com

The Academy at Charlemont’s board of trustees has announced that Dr. Brian Bloomfield will serve as Head of School, beginning July 1, 2014. Visit http://www.charlemont.org for the full text of this announcement.

Monica Moran said,

We want to thank the 326 hilltown residents who took our survey and we want to share this press release below with information from survey results. For the full report you can visit us on Facebook at Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force or email us at southernhillsdvtaskforce@gmail.com

PRESS RELEASE

TASK FORCE RELEASES RESULTS OF HILLTOWN DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVEY

RESULTS SHOW BROAD AGREEMENT ABOUT WHAT ABUSE IS AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE, BUT REVEAL MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT WHAT OTHERS BELIEVE

In a survey taken by 326 hilltown residents, 96% of respondents agreed “It is possible to abuse someone without using physical violence.” However, only 66% of those surveyed believe other hilltown residents would agree with this statement.

Eighty-five percent of hilltown residents agreed that “Abuse is never the fault of the person being abused,’ but only 54% thought others in the community would agree with this statement.

The Task Force believes it is critical to correct theses misperceptions. Research shows that perception gaps like these are common, and affect what people think and how they act. When misperceptions are corrected, attitudes and behaviors often shift.

The Task Force wants to make sure that people who are abusive know the community does not support or accept their behavior – even if their abuse is not physical. Studies show that perpetrators of abuse both over-estimate the percent of people who share their attitudes, and rely on their false beliefs to justify their behavior.

The Task Force also hopes that when people who are abused realize few people blame them, they will feel more comfortable asking for help, and will be less likely to remain silent for fear of being blamed.

Among the non-physical behaviors identified as abusive by at least 90% of survey respondents were ‘controlling where you go and what you do’, ‘a pattern of name calling and put downs’, ‘extreme jealousy or possessiveness’, ‘isolating you from family or friends’, ‘threatening you, your loved ones, or your pets’, ‘threatening to take the children away’, ‘threatening you by referring to weapons in the home’, ‘making jobs impossible to keep’, and ‘controlling all the money’. These behaviors are often used together over time to exert power and control over a partner.
The survey also asked about the behavior of those who see abuse or ‘bystanders’. Most respondents reported that they did or said something if someone they know was abused (69%) or someone they know was abusive (51%). To help those who are abused, the Task Force recommends listening without judging, reminding people that the abuse is not their fault, and referring people to local resources. If someone is abusive, the Task Force recommends making sure you are safe before doing anything. Then, interventions can include pointing out specific behaviors that are abusive, referring people to batterer intervention groups, or calling the police.

Most also believe the police would be helpful if they called because of abuse, and 67% said they would call the police if they or someone they cared about was being abused.

The Task Force is encouraged that 74% of hilltown residents surveyed know of at least one agency they can go to for help if they are someone they know is abused. These agencies include Safe Passage (413-586-5066), Hilltown Safety at Home (413-559-8039), Center for Women and Community (413-658-4756) , YWCA New Beginnings (413-667-8784), the GLBTQ DV Project (800-832-1901) and for people who are abusive, Moving Forward (888-636-9050).

The survey was distributed throughout the community from April through August 2013. Surveys were distributed at libraries, town halls, community agencies, community fairs and picnics, and through mailings, various websites, Facebook and senior citizen groups. A $200 raffle prize was used to encourage residents to take the survey.

The Task Force plans to use survey findings to conduct an outreach and education campaign beginning next month.

Part IV – Items of General InterestLactation Expenses as Medical Expenses

Announcement 2011-14
The Internal Revenue Service has concluded that breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation are medical care under § 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code because, like obstetric care, they are for the purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body of the lactating woman. Therefore, if the remaining requirements of § 213(a) are met (for example, the taxpayer’s total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income), expenses paid for breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation are deductible medical expenses. Amounts reimbursed for these expenses under flexible spending arrangements, Archer medical savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, or health savings accounts are not income to the taxpayer.

The Service will revise Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, to include this information.

Volunteers in Northampton Schools (VINS): Are you interested in being a community volunteer? Do you have just 1-2 hours a week of time to give local schools? VINS is recruiting volunteers for library assistance, individual and small group tutoring, Math Club activity guides, and classroom/resource assistance. If you are available to volunteer please contact VINS. 413.587.1332

Hilltown residents will be reviewing their town’s “to-do” lists at their upcoming Community Development Strategy meetings, to be held in each respective town during the months of November and December.

Residents are invited to participate in this process to review last year’s goals and recommend new community improvement projects for the coming year. These important planning sessions are facilitated by the Hilltown Community Development Corporation.

The strategy sessions will be held in the Selectboard meeting rooms in each town at the following times:

— Worthington Town Offices, Tuesday, November 26, at 7:30pm,
— Peru Town Offices, Monday November 25, at 7:00pm,
— Goshen Town Hall, Tuesday, December 9, at 7:00pm,

If your family lives in any of the aforementioned towns, please consider attending the meeting in your town to provide input. To participate in the Community Development Block Grant Program, each town must complete an annual Community Development Strategy document, which includes an outline of the town’s goals and a priority list of community projects. After each public meeting, selectmen in the towns will review public input and edit the Community Development Strategies to reflect the Town’s goals and projects that may be eligible for federal block grant funding. For information about the review process or to request a copy of your town’s CDS document, contact Christopolis at the Hilltown CDC at davec@hilltowncdc.org or 413-296-4536.

Gateway High School’s Student Council is collecting non-perishable food items from November 13 through November 22, 2013, to help area families have a better Thanksgiving. Students will receive a spirit point for each item they bring in, with double points awarded on November 20. Items may be brought to Ms. Lavigueur in room 154 or to The Swamp after school. Donations will be given to the Huntington Food Pantry.

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Welcome!

Welcome to Hilltown Families, an award-winning community-based education network, serving the four counties of Western Massachusetts.

Founded in 2005 by Sienna Wildfield, Hilltown Families believes in creating resilient and sustainable communities by strengthening a sense of place through methods of community engagement that supports interests and values.

By highlighting the embedded learning found in community-based resources, events, and opportunities, learning becomes inclusive, accessible, and intergenerational while remaining relevant to the learner. When community members are brought together through shared interests, meaningful connections are fostered through a shared history based in community engagement.

Awarded the "Essential Agent of Change Award" by the MDPH's Massachusetts Essentials for Childhood, Hilltown Families is recognized as a leading family strengthening initiative in the region, promoting "positive parenting through the social norm of community social connectedness."

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